Santa Anita Park is approaching its 90th anniversary Dec. 26 with the opening of the Classic Meet, and the track is calling on the public to vote for the 13 'top moments' in track history, it was announced via presser.
Voting on those moments will be open until Friday, Nov. 8 at 5:00 p.m. PT with the top 13 vote-getters being featured in Santa Anita's wall calendar, which is provided to on-track patrons on opening day each year. There are 15 nominations to choose from, which were selected by a panel of horse racing media veterans.
In chronological order, they are:
- Dec. 25, 1934–Santa Anita Park's Opening Day
- Feb. 23, 1935–Azucar wins the first Santa Anita Handicap
- Mar. 2, 1940–Seabiscuit wins the Santa Anita Handicap
- Mar. 8, 1958–Silky Sullivan wins the 1952 Santa Anita Derby in his typical come-from-behind fashion
- Mar. 11, 1966–John Longden wins the San Juan Capistrano Handicap by a nose in this final ride
- Mar. 4, 1979–Triple Crown winner Affirmed wins the Santa Anita Handicap in track record time
- Jan. 5, 1980–Spectacular Bid wins the Malibu Stakes in track record time
- Mar. 7, 1982–John Henry wins the Santa Anita Handicap via DQ, becoming the first two-time Big 'Cap winner
- Mar. 14, 1987–Laffit Pincay Jr. wins seven races on nine-race Santa Anita card
- Mar. 6, 1988–Kentucky Derby winners Alysheba and Ferdinand run 1-2 in the Santa Anita Handicap
- Apr. 9, 1988–Winning Colors wins the Santa Anita Derby before taking the Kentucky Derby
- Feb. 3, 1990–Bill Shoemaker retires as the world's winningest rider in “The Legend's Last Ride”
- Nov. 6, 1993–Arcangues wins the Breeders' Cup Classic at 133-1
- Oct. 25, 2003–Trainer Richard Mandella wins a record four Breeders' Cup races
- Nov. 7, 2009–Zenyatta becomes the first and (to date) only female Breeders' Cup Classic winner
To cast your vote for your top moment, please go here.
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