Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride suffers serious injury during workout at Santa Anita Park with Mike Smith aboard. Geaux Rocket Ride is one of the leading contenders in next weekend's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
Santa Anita Park Opening Day this season was December 28, 2019. Mike Smith, Hall of Fame jockey, rode 4 stakes winners, including Omaha Beach for Grade 1 record. The attendance was 35,085.
Santa Anita Park. No horse injuries but fewer fans in stands. On Santa Anita Derby Day, the track attendance was 30,713, the third smallest in the past 75 runnings of the Santa Anita Derby, about 5,000 below the recent average. Spate of equine deaths might have taken toll on attendance. Jockey Mike Smith (pictured) celebrates after riding Roadster to victory in the Santa Anita Derby. Animal welfare protesters were present, and attendance was down, but no racing injuries were reported.
Horse racing at Santa Anita. Derby Darlings. Roadster, Game Winner are strong 1-2 punch in Santa Anita Derby for trainer Bob Baffert. Santa Anita Derby is a prep race for Kentucky Derby.
Admiration is Justify-able. Horse racing's newest and still undefeated Triple Crown Winner returns to home turf Santa Anita Park for a victory lap. The Triple Crown means winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Crown in sight. Jockey Mike Smith and horse trainer Bob Baffert like their horse Justify's chances in the Belmont Stakes on June 9. (Photo of Smith and Baffert).