The San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park on Sunday marks the closing weekend Sunday feature for the 2026 spring meet at The Great Race Place. The $100,000 turf marathon for 3-year-olds and up at about 1 3/4 miles represents the longest graded stakes distance in North America and incorporates the track’s unique and legendary downhill turf course.
This historic race, run under handicap conditions in earlier years, has been a Santa Anita fixture since the mid-20th century and traditionally served as the closing feature. Long before the closure of Hollywood Park in 2013 when the Arcadia track shuttered for six months and stables shifted gears to run the spring meeting across town before heading to Del Mar for the summer, it served as the track’s signature closing-day feature. This year it is serves as the main event on the track’s penultimate day for the spring meet with a final card scheduled for Monday.
Now contested over the unique yet demanding Santa Anita turf layout, the Southern California spring feature has consistently drew some of the biggest turf names throughout history.
Trainer Charlie Whittingham holds the record with an astounding 14 winners, including standouts Cougar II and Exceller. Iconic past winners feature legends like John Henry (1980), Kotashaan (Fr), George Royal, St. Vincent, Noor (Ire) and Seabiscuit, just to name a few. It has also featured a few two-time winners Mioland (1940-41), Intent (1952-53), George Royal (1965-66), Niarkos (1967-68), T.H. Approval (2005-06), Bourbon Bay (2010, 2012), Acclimate (2019, 2021), and Planetario (BRZ) (2023-24), more than any other stakes in North America.
A competitive field of 10 is expected, headlined by the 8-year-old Gold Phoenix (Ire) (7-5), who is trained by Phil D’Amato. He is a multi-millionaire and Grade 1 winner with a stellar Santa Anita record of 18-5-3-3, nearly all being graded wins. He has multiple wins at similar distances, including repeats in events like the Del Mar Handicap (G2), a race he’s won the past four years in a row. A troubled seventh-place finish in the recent Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs can be tossed as he had a terrible trip and traffic trouble, but now back on his home turf where he's proven, he should get his preferred trip stalking under jockey Hector Barrios.
American Hope (4-1), by American Pharoah and out of a More Than Ready mare, has the classic stamina pedigree to handle the extended 1¾-mile trip, especially on turf where he’s shown versatility. He’s coming off that a clear win last out and has prior turf success, including at Fair Grounds earlier in his career. He appears to be progressing nicely as a mature horse and is a type who typically settles mid-pack and finishes well, which suits the marathon distance where pace scenarios often favor closers or sustained runners. Armando Ayuso rides for Brian Koriner.
Factor Analysis (8-1) is a 5-year-old deep closer trained by Robert B. Hess Jr. The Vino Rosso horse is a mid-tier router stepping up off a solid second in a 1 ⅛-mile turf claimer at Churchill Downs on May 10, where he closed strongly to miss the win. Some of his previous efforts show mixed results at longer distances, he finished 7th at 1 ½ miles at Keeneland in April but had and earlier turf placings and wins at Tampa Bay Downs, including his maiden score at 1 ⅛ miles). He often settles mid-pack and can produce a late kick, which plays well in marathon turf races with potential pace setups. The class hike is significant, jumping up from allowance/claiming company into a deep graded stakes against proven marathoners. Watch the tote board.
Rimprotector (12-1) is a consistent mid-pack-closer type who grinds out top efforts over long turf routes. The 7-year-old Point of Entry has finished third in the last two runnings of the San Juan Capistrano and is fresh off a win in the 1 3/8-mile Richard Hazelton Overnight Stakes at Turf Paradise. The Tim McCanna trainee has excellent career turf stats (19-2-2-3) and knows the unique SA layout well, so expect him to settle comfortably early and close with determination. His best under jockey Kyle Frey makes him a major threat to spoil Gold Phoenix's party.
Grogu (15-1) is coming off an eighth in a Santa Anita allowance race in May and hasn’t won a race in three starts since taking a similar allowance last October. The 5-year-old Get Stormy gelding typically is a mid-pack type or closer who has a ton of room to improve stretching out. His two prior graded stakes tries include off-the-board finishes for trainer Leonard Powell so this one needs a career best. He could offer value as a longshot if the race develops with pace and he finds a clear trip late under jockey Cesar Belmont.
Poor Connection (15-1), who is by Omaha Beach and out of a Broken Vow mare, has some stromg stamina influences in pedigree. After stretching out to routes, he has shown a ton of promise and has earned decent figures for trainer Michael McCarthy though this is a steep jump from winning a starter allowance. Watch for improvement if he handles the marathon test under jockey Emisael Jaramillo.
The John Sadler-trained Amplitude (12-1) is a New York-bred son of Uncle Mo and out of a Smart Strike mare who is making his first start in black-type company. This 5-year-old gelding figures as a deep closer who picks up pieces late when the leaders tire. He’s obviously completely untested at this level, but his pedigree is suited to the distance and benefits from talented Kazushi Kimura aboard.
Living Life (6-1) is a veteran six-year-old ridgling with consistent routing experience yet a single non-productive graded stakes start in his 20-race career. Jockey Joel Rosario's elite finishing ability pairs well with this one’s stalking/mid-pack style. He is a reliable grinder who can stay on well and is a solid underneath type in exotics if the top contenders set a reasonable pace.
Goldeneye (10-1) returns to trainer Peter Eurton after spending some time in the East with trainer Kenny McPeek. The early type/forward stalker needs to elevate his game in graded company to be a win contender, but could factor early if he gets an uncontested lead or soft fractions under Edwin Maldonado.
Smooth Salute (30-1) is a veteran who has been running in claiming company recently. He will have jockey Victor Espinoza – a three-time winner – aboard and this mid-pack/closer type will certainly be a longshot adding sme depth to exotics, particularly if he gets a ground-saving trip or the pace melts.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
