The Santa Anita Handicap is a major West Coast race for older horses held at Santa Anita Park each March at the classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. The race has been run since 1935, when it was inaugurated carrying a purse of $100,000. The amount was staggering for the time period and the race became known as the "Hundred-Grander." The race also earned another nickname, the "Big 'Cap," which is still used today, though the purse has grown to $1,000,000.
The Santa Anita Handicap is a major West Coast race for older horses held at Santa Anita Park each March at the classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. The race has been run since 1935, when it was inaugurated carrying a purse of $100,000. The amount was staggering for the time period and the race became known as the "Hundred-Grander." The race also earned another nickname, the "Big 'Cap," which is still used today, though the purse has grown to $1,000,000.
The Santa Anita Handicap has been won by such horses as Seabiscuit, Round Table, Ack Ack, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, John Henry (twice), Alysheba, Tiznow, Lava Man (twice), Game On Dude (three times) and Shared Belief.
Jockey Bill Shoemaker won the race an astounding 11 times and trainer Charlie Whittingham owns eight victories in the race.