Santa Anita’s Big ‘Cap Boasts a Storied Racing History
Though the days of true handicap racing seem to have gone the way of the Wooly Mammoth, serious props go out to the few tracks that do their best to preserve history and offer big purses for the best older horses willing to carry weight and earn a position among the best in the older male division. While many are converting to the ranks of stakes conditions and weight-for-age exhibitions, tracks like Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, and especially Santa Anita maintain their dedication to history and continue to offer rich handicap events.
87th Annual Big ‘Cap: A Showcase of Talent at Santa Anita
Game On Dude
Since its inception in 1935 during the California track’s inaugural season, the Big ‘Cap has collected an impressive list of winners. The legendary Seabiscuit captured the 1940 renewal after falling just short in his two previous attempts. Round Table, Prove It, Lucky Debonair, Ack Ack, Triple Bend, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Broad Brush, Alysheba, Best Pal, Free House, and Shared Belief are just some of the other names to have reached the storied winner’s circle. But perhaps the best-known victors are two-time heroes John Henry, Milwaukee Brew, and Lava Man, as well as three-time winner Game On Dude.
Iconic Victories: Santa Anita Handicap Through the Years
Local standout and 2024 Hall of Fame nominee John Sadler and his owners, Hronis Racing, won three runnings of the Big ‘Cap from 2018 through 2020 – Accelerate, Gift Box, and Combatant. The late, great Charlie Whittingham, however, still owns the record in number of Santa Anita Handicap winners with nine (1957, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1993) and his go-to rider, the late Bill Shoemaker, is still the race’s most successful jockey having ridden 11 winners (1954, 1955, 1958, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1985) despite the fact he retired from the saddle 34 years ago and passed away 21 years ago.
Game On Dude still owns the stakes record of 1:58.17 from his last of three victories in 2014.
The Big ‘Cap this year will go as the day’s 8th with a post time of 4:05 p.m. PT under clear skies and cool temperatures.