Santa Anita’s opening day featured thrilling victories and remarkable moments, with several standout performances in the Grade 2 and Grade 1 races. From Johannes’s impressive win in the San Gabriel Stakes to history-making achievements by jockey Flavien Prat, it was an unforgettable day at the track. Here’s a roundup of the major events that took place.
Johannes Shines in San Gabriel Stakes
Johannes capped off a fantastic year with a powerful victory in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes. This win marked his fifth victory in six starts for the year, with his only loss being a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last month. Under jockey Umberto Rispoli, Johannes made a wide move in the stretch to chase down the leaders, Mi Hermano Ramon and Seal Team, securing the win by three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Tim Yakteen, Johannes’s remarkable season has earned him serious consideration for the Eclipse Award, an honor for the best horses in various categories. Owned by the McCloskey family’s Cuyathy stable, Johannes has now won eight out of seven races at Santa Anita. This includes victories in the Shoemaker Mile (G1), City of Hope Mile (G2), and the Eddie Read (G2). He will now target the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park on January 25th.
Flavien Prat Sets Record in Mathis Mile
Flavien Prat made history on Thursday when he broke the record for most graded-stakes wins in a calendar year, surpassing the previous record of 55 set by Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey in 2003. Prat reached this milestone aboard King of Gosford, who won the $200,000 Mathis Mile (G2). The colt, trained by Phil D’Amato, went wire-to-wire, holding off a late challenge from Stay Hot. This victory was King of Gosford’s fourth stakes win of the year, and his first at the graded level.
She Feels Pretty Dominates the American Oaks
She Feels Pretty continued her impressive form with a dominant win in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1), marking her second Grade 1 victory in a row. After winning the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Keeneland in October, the filly cruised to a 2 ½-length win in the American Oaks, under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. She Feels Pretty, trained by Cherie DeVaux, is one of the top fillies in the country.
Kopion Shocks the La Brea Stakes
In a surprising twist, long shot Kopion, trained by Richard Mandella, won the $300,000 La Brea (G1) by 2 ¾ lengths, much to the delight of her connections. The 37-1 outsider was making her first start in more than eight months and was stepping in for the scratched Tamara. Despite the long layoff, Kopion dominated the seven-furlong race under jockey Kazushi Kimura, marking her first Grade 1 victory.
J B Strikes Back Stuns in Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes
In another exciting moment, J B Strikes Back, a 16-1 long shot, won the $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2). The gelding, trained by Doug O’Neill, held off all challengers in the 1 1/16-mile race to score a thrilling victory. This was his third win in a row, and the horse showed grit and determination to secure his first stakes win.
Santa Anita’s opening day was filled with remarkable performances that will be remembered for years to come. From Johannes’s brilliant win in the San Gabriel to the record-breaking achievement by Flavien Prat, the day was packed with excitement. The thrilling victories of She Feels Pretty, Kopion, and J B Strikes Back added even more drama to a fantastic day at the track. As these horses continue to shine in future races, it’s clear that Santa Anita remains a top destination for exciting thoroughbred racing.
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