Santa Anita Park is set to host nine captivating races on 17 October 2025, offering both seasoned punters and casual racing fans an exciting day at the track. From competitive starter races for older horses to maiden events showcasing emerging talent, the racecourse promises a vibrant mix of speed, strategy, and Thoroughbred excellence.
Sprinting Starters Open the Day
The curtain rises with a six-furlong starter race for three-year-olds and upward, carrying a purse of $36,000. Lady Aberdeen, guided by jockey Edwin A. Maldonado under trainer Paula S. Capestro, looks poised for an early advantage. She’ll face Oveta’s Hobby with Juan J. Hernandez and trainer John W. Sadler, the energetic How Lovely ridden by Antonio Fresu and trained by Doug F. O’Neill, Princess Midnight (Diego A. Herrera/Trainer Joe Herrick), Prime and Ready (Hector Isaac Berrios/Richard Baltas), and How About Pavel (Tyler Baze/Genaro Vallejo). Expect brisk early fractions as these contenders test the Santa Anita turf.
Next, the six-furlong claiming race offers a $26,000 purse for three-year-olds and upward. Far Western, under Ricardo Gonzalez and trainer Ryan Hanson, faces stiff competition from Recall and Reload (Antonio Fresu/Tim Yakteen), Jaguar Jon (Tyler Baze/Steven Miyadi), Bluegrass Go Go (Kyle Frey/Blaine D. Wright), Prince Prancealot (Diego A. Herrera/Antonio C. Garcia), and Arabian Flirt (Edgar Payeras/Antonio Flores). This race could set the tone for the early market.
Allowance Action and Claiming Contests
Race three, a six-furlong allowance/optional claiming event with a $61,000 purse, features Thermal (Hector Isaac Berrios/John W. Sadler) and Emirates Affair (Kazushi Kimura/Robert B. Hess) among others. Young Love (Juan J. Hernandez/Peter Miller), Scary Fast Ride (Tyler Baze/Sean McCarthy), and Artisma (Abel Lezcano/Richard Baltas) bring both tactical versatility and raw speed, promising a thrilling contest down the stretch.
At six-and-a-half furlongs, a $26,000 claiming race includes Magic Connection (Hector Isaac Berrios/Hector O. Palma) alongside Dakota Country (Antonio Fresu/Doug F. O’Neill), Dancing Rinca (Umberto Rispoli/Neil D. Drysdale), Horizon Wildcat (Kyle Frey/Brendan W. Galvin), and Cultural (Serafin Carmona/Michael W. McCarthy). The mix of proven sprinters and opportunistic claimers makes this one of the most unpredictable events of the afternoon.
Race five extends the distance to one mile for an allowance/optional claiming race with $61,000 at stake. Nothing Is Forever (Kazushi Kimura/Steve R. Knapp) takes on Dorie Miller (Diego A. Herrera/Leonard Powell), Jessebear (Tiago Josue Pereira/Aggie Ordonez), Severe Clear (Ricardo Gonzalez/Peter Miller), and Broadway Venus (Abel Lezcano/Ryan Hanson), highlighting the depth of middle-distance talent at Saint Anita Park horse racing.
Maiden Races Showcase New Talent
Race six spotlights three-, four-, and five-year-old maidens in a six-furlong claiming event worth $33,000. Cindys Beach House (Antonio Fresu/Bill McLean) leads a diverse field that includes Frog (Juan J. Hernandez/Michael W. McCarthy), Stormy Rouge (David Cohen/Tim McCanna), Molly Jensen (Ricardo Gonzalez/Mark Glatt), Sensational Dream (Serafin Carmona/Adam Kitchingman), and Paarl (Tyler Baze/John W. Sadler). Observers should watch for early pace dynamics that could determine the winner in this competitive setup.
For the youngest fillies, a six-furlong $20,000 claiming race features She’s Back (Kevin E. Orozco/Jamey R. Thomas), Strong Morals (Mirco Demuro/George Papaprodromou), Joyriding (Tiago Josue Pereira/Felix Rondan), Donal’s Homily (Alfredo L. Bautista/Gary Stute), Priscilla (Ricardo Gonzalez/Andy Mathis), and Sheer Lightning (Diego A. Herrera/Antonio C. Garcia). With juvenile talent on display.
Mile-Long Challenges and Optional Claiming Highlights
Race eight, a one-mile claiming event with a $39,000 purse, includes Beef Winslow (Umberto Rispoli/Robert B. Hess), Malibu Coast (Antonio Fresu/Doug F. O’Neill), Uncle Happy (Diego A. Herrera/Leonard Powell), Caisson (Juan J. Hernandez/Mark Rheinford), Crosby Beach (Tyler Baze/Jeff Mullins), and Cathal (Edgar Payeras/Sergio Morfin). Strategic positioning over the mile will be crucial for those aiming to claim victory in this tightly packed field.
Closing the day is a six-and-a-half-furlong optional claiming maiden race for two-year-olds, offering $35,000. Una Mirada (Kazushi Kimura/Vann Belvoir) faces Cosmic Heat (Antonio Fresu/Peter Eurton), Debby’s Gal (Juan J. Hernandez/Richard Baltas), Can’t Say That (Umberto Rispoli/George Papaprodromou), Angel Baby (Diego A. Herrera/Martin Valenzuela), and Mimi’s Memory (Edwin A. Maldonado/George Papaprodromou). With juvenile contenders eager to make their mark, expect spirited early duels and dramatic closing sprints.
Anticipation Builds at Santa Anita Park
From brisk sprints to tactical mile races, the 17 October 2025 card at Santa Anita Park delivers a comprehensive glimpse into the current racing season. With a mix of established stars, emerging talents, and competitive claiming contests, spectators and punters alike can expect thrills, strategy, and impressive Thoroughbred performances. Stay updated with race results and detailed analyses on RaceBuzz.
