Vote For Top Moment in Santa Anita's 90-Year History

Santa Anita Park, which opened on Christmas Day 1934, will celebrate its 90th anniversary on Dec. 26 with the opening of its Classic Meet. In honor of the milestone, the public is asked to vote for the 13 “Top Moments” in track history to be featured in Santa Anita’s wall calendar. There are 15 nominations to choose from, which were selected by a panel of horse racing media veterans.

Voting on Santa Anita’s “Top Moments” will be open until Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. PT. The 13 top vote-getters will be featured in Santa Anita’s popular wall calendar, which is provided to on track patrons on Opening Day each year.

Below is the full list of nominees in chronological order:

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