Happy 90th Anniversary, Santa Anita!
“The Great Race Place” is one of the most historic racing venues in the world…and one of
the most beautiful. Each year, Santa Anita creates a calendar highlighting several notable accomplishments from the prior twelve months. This year, to honor their 90* Anniversary, another element was added to the calendar. A plan was devised to celebrate the top historic achievements and cherished STARS who have made Santa Anita so special!
A list of Santa Anita’s most historic and memorable moments was created, the finalists were selected by a media poll, and then the public was asked to vote and rank them. At the conclusion of this process, 13 “moments” were selected to signify the VERY BEST of Santa Anita’s history.
It is an honor to say, with the poll complete…
#1 is… Zenyatta becomes the first and (to date) only female Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner. Nov 7, 2009
To the fans who voted and to Santa Anita, Lisa Beattie, and the S.A. Graphics and Media Departments, THANK YOU! So many memories and cherished moments we have shared. This one is also quite meaningful!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Per the S.A. Calendar, we thought you’d enjoy seeing the other 12 moments ranked in order and their dates.
#2: Seabiscuit wins the Santa Anita Handicap. Mar 2, 1940
#3: Triple Crown winner Affirmed wins the S.A. Handicap in track record time.
Mar 4, 1979
#4: Santa Anita Park’s Opening Day. Dec 25, 1934
#5: Spectacular Bid wins the Malibu Stakes in track record time. Jan 5, 1980
#6: John Henry wins the S.A. Handicap becoming the first 2-time Big Cap Winner. Mar 7, 1982
#7: Silky Sullivan wins the 1952 S.A. Derby in his typical come-from-behind fashion. Mar 8, 1958
#8: Kentucky Derby winners Alysheba and Ferdinand run 1-2 in the S.A. Handicap. Mar 6, 1988
#9: John Longden wins the San Juan Capistrano Handicap by a nose. Mar 11, 1966
#10: Laffit Pincay Jr. wins 7 races on a 9 race S.A. card. Mar 14, 1987
#11: Winning Colors wins the S.A. Derby before take the Kentucky Derby.
Apr 9, 1988
#12: Bill Shoemaker retires as the world’s winningest rider in “The Legend’s Last Ride.” Feb 3, 1990
#13: Azucar wins the first running of the S.A. Handicap. Feb 23, 1935
Janet
Congratulations again to the one and only Zenyatta! She will always be our Queen!
Love you Z!
Lori Stein
Congratulations! Wish I had been there for that win. You could feel the electricity through the TV screen. Very special moment in racing.
Linda Longfield
Congratulations! Zenyatta will always rank number one with all her fans. Another well-deserved honor!
Gloria
I was one of the ones who voted for Zenyatta! And I love my Santa Anita calendar showing she is #1! And that information will go straight into my Zenyatta scrapbook(s) – I’m on my 11th Z scrapbook. Thrilled that she was #1.
Patti
Congratulations Zenyatta! You are the queen!
Kathy
Congratulations! BRAVO! The one and only Queen, indeed.
Allen
Congrats , Zenyatta you will always be number one. Also I hope everyone has seen the video of Nymue at Mayberry Farm. It is on TBN website
judy berube
Dear Allen:
Just watched the video on Nymue and Shuggy on TDN’s website. They’re both fabulous looking.
NYM looks so much like Mama. I’m linking the video here. Hope it works.
Love and Hugs, JB
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Judy,
Thanks for posting the TDN link! Yes Nymue sure does look like Z, and Shuggy is quite handsome, too. Hope they both take to the track and stay healthy and happy!
Enjoyed this very much.
Hugs and Love
judy berube
Dear Marshall:
Me too. Love and Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC Broad)
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
Dear Zenyatta, Team Z et al,
How exciting dear girl — you are still winning! Very distinguished company, too.
You will be our #1 forever❣️
Congratulations!!!!
Hugs and Love 🥰
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, SHUGS, JUSTY, DC and Team Z:
Thank you for this wonderful photo and fabulous list of Champions led by our gorgeous QUEEN. Only female to beat the boys in the BCC. I think will remain so for a long, long time.
Love and Hugs, JB
Beth from Indiana
Love this! Congratulations Zenyatta and the entire Zenyatta team!💗
Cris
She is my favorite female horse. The very best and always will be. She has my heart I wish she could live forever.
judy berube
Dear Cris:
Sweet post. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, SHUGS, JUSTY AND DC:
Love You. Big Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, SHUGS, JUSTY and DC:
Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love You. Hugs, JB ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, JUSTY and SHUGS:
Thinking of you. Love and Hugs, JB💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Zenyatta,
Hope you are doing well, sweet girl!
Just wanted to wish you Happy Spring — your birthday (and Ziconic’s) will be
coming up soon❣️ You make April very special to us!
Hugs and Love 💕
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:
Goodnight and Happy Dreams. Love You. Big Hugs, JB🏇🏻🌺🏇🏻🌺🏇🏻🌺🏇🏻🌺🏇🏻
judy berube
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC, SHUGS and JUSTY:
Hope you’re all having a lovely day.
Z, here’s a nice win (closing finish just like you) by one of your John’s horses Saturday on the turf. Congrats to them.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/usa/sa/2025/3/22/7/san-luis-rey-s-g3t
Love and Hugs, JB
Dee in the Hudson Valley
Beautiful early spring day here! One week until Zenyatta’s 21st birthday!