First run in 1938, the inaugural race had eight horses trying to beat Seabiscuit but the effort was in vain as he won by 1 ½ lengths. In 1948, Historian became the first horse to fly to a race when he flew from Chicago to California to compete in what was then known as the Hollywood Gold Cup and more history was made in 1951 when Citation won the race to become the first million-dollar earning racehorse. Other winners of the race were Swaps, Round Table, Native Diver, Affirmed, Ferdinand, Cigar, Skip Away, Real Quiet, Lava Man and Game On Dude.
First run in 1938, the inaugural race had eight horses trying to beat Seabiscuit but the effort was in vain as he won by 1 ½ lengths. In 1948, Historian became the first horse to fly to a race when he flew from Chicago to California to compete in what was then known as the Hollywood Gold Cup and more history was made in 1951 when Citation won the race to become the first million-dollar earning racehorse. Other winners of the race were Swaps, Round Table, Native Diver, Affirmed, Ferdinand, Cigar, Skip Away, Real Quiet, Lava Man and Game On Dude. Trainer Charlie Whittingham winning five editions of the race including four straight from 1971 to 1974.
In 2014 with Hollywood Park shutting down, Santa Anita took over the race and it was renamed the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.