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 The Seabiscuit statue in the paddock at Santa Anita. |
In 1986, Oak Tree hosted an on-track crowd at Santa Anita Park of 69,155, which bet a Breeders' Cup on-track record of $15,410,409. In 1993, total wagering on Breeders' Cup races at Oak Tree was $79,744,742, a North American record at that time for the event. That also was the year Arcangues posted the biggest upset in Breeders' Cup history, winning the Classic at odds of 133-1.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, Oak Tree hosts the 20th renewal of the Breeders' Cup, and Director of Racing Michael J. Harlow expects fans, horsemen and the track to benefit from racing's greatest day, not just that day, but throughout the 32-day meeting which ends Nov. 9.
"The main track has been great so far this summer," Harlow said. "That can sometimes present a challenge because it's so hot during that period and it's hard to keep a lot of water in it. But it's helped that we weren't racing on it and only train on it a few hours every morning. We'll probably protect the turf course a bit more leading up to the Breeders' Cup. I don't think we'll run any fewer grass races, but we'll probably utilize the rail positions a little more than usual, just to protect the inside two running lanes prior to Breeders' Cup day."
 Azeri was an impressive winner in the 2002 Distaff, blowing her competition away by 5 lengths. |
During the 19-year tenure of the Breeders' Cup, 302 starters have graduated from Oak Tree events, 24 going on to become Breeders' Cup champions. Another 56 finished second or third. Tiznow and Azeri, Horse of the Year in 2000 and 2002, both honed their skills at Oak Tree prior to Breeders' Cup victories.
The 24 Breeders' Cup winners that raced at Oak Tree prior to winning on Breeders' Cup day are Chief's Crown, 1984 Juvenile winner (first in the Norfolk); Capote, 1986 Juvenile winner, (first in the Norfolk); Skywalker, 1986 Classic winner (second in the Oak Tree Mile); Success Express, 1987 Juvenile winner (fourth in the Norfolk); Ferdinand, 1987 Classic winner (first in the Goodwood); Great Communicator, 1988 Turf winner (second in the Oak Tree Turf); Pleasant Stage, 1991 Juvenile Fillies winner (first in the Oak Leaf); Cardmania, 1993 Sprint winner (first in the Ancient Title); Phone Chatter, 1993 Juvenile Fillies winner (first in the Oak Leaf); Hollywood Wildcat, 1993 Distaff winner (first in the Lady's Secret); Brocco, 1993 Juvenile winner (first in an allowance race); and Kotashaan, 1993 Turf winner (first in the Oak Tree Turf).
 Tiznow became the first dial winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic with his victory in 2001 at Belmont.
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Also, Northern Spur, 1995 Turf winner (first in the Oak Tree Turf); Jewel Princess, 1996 Distaff winner (second in the Lady's Secret); Alphabet Soup, 1996 Classic winner (first in the Goodwood); Elmhurst, 1997 Sprint winner (first in the Ancient Title); Anees, 1999 Juvenile winner (third in the Norfolk); Silic, 1999 Mile winner (first in the Oak Tree Mile); War Chant, 2000 Mile winner (first in the Oak Tree Mile); Kona Gold, first in the 2000 Sprint (first in the Ancient Title); Tiznow, 2000 Classic winner (first in the Goodwood); Val Royal, 2001 Mile winner (first in the Oak Tree Mile); Tiznow, 2001 Classic winner (third in the Goodwood); and Azeri, 2002 Distaff winner (first in the Lady's Secret).
From an Oak Tree press release
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