Bet on The Santa Anita Handicap
Often referred to as “The Big ‘Cap” the Santa Anita Handicap has been held since 1935 at Santa Anita Park. The race gained instant fame in the early days primarily due to the fact it offered a purse of $100,000, which was considered an incredible amount of money at the time for a single horse race. The race is run at 1 ¼ miles in the dirt, and is open to American thoroughbreds aged four-years-old and up.
Santa Anita Handicap Racebooks
The Big Cap is also known to have provided some big payoffs to horse bettors over the years, and the best way to get in on cashing a ticket is to put a wager down with one of our recommeded racebook partners, listed below.
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* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
Santa Anita Handicap Betting Odds
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2016 Santa Anita Handicap Contenders
With a field of nine set to contest the 79th running of the Big Cap, the 2016 renewal has the feel of a wide-open race as a mixed cast of hard-knocking veterans and fresh faces clash March 12 at the classic mile and a quarter distance. 2/1 morning line favorite Effinex, always a top-class horse, finished his 2015 campaign on a high note winning the Grade 1 Clark Handicap November 27 at Churchill Downs. The victory followed his credible second-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic behind eventual Horse of the Year American Pharoah, but many bettors will be eager to bet against a short-priced horse returning at a demanding distance following three and a half months of inactivity. The lightly-raced Donworth (3/1) is sure to be an appealing alternative after his second-place effort last out in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes February 6 - his first start in over six months. Bettors will also scrutinize the pace scenario in a race lacking in early speed.
Post Position and Odds
1-Point Piper 12/1
2-Melatonin 20/1
3-Donworth 3/1
4-General a Rod 4/1
5-Effinex 2/1
6-Cyrus Alexandar 20/1
7-Hard Aces 12/1
8-Imperative 8/1
9-Class Leader 30/1
Did you know?
In addition to the large purse, the reputation of the Santa Anita Handicap was also aided in the early years by the participation of the legendary Seabiscuit, the most popular horse in America of his era. In 1937 and again in 1938, Seabiscuit finished second in photo finishes, the second time to a horse carrying 30 less pounds. Injured in 1939, Seabiscuit missed that year’s event, but came back to finally get the win in 1940, the last race of his career.
In 1979, the winner of the ‘Cap was Affirmed, who one year earlier had claimed the American Triple Crown by winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont, prevailing each time in a stride-for-stride battle with Alydar. That 1979 ‘Cap win by Affirmed is also notable in that he set the race record, stopping the timer at 1:58.60, a mark that stood for 35 years, until the 2014 win by Game On Dude.