As the Eastern U.S. dug its way out of a blizzard and most of the West was upended by severe wind and rain, weather conditions were spring-like for the opening of Santa Anita Park’s Classic Meet on the day after Christmas in Arcadia, California. The track attracted more than 40,000 visitors and record-breaking first-day handle of $26.3 million.
For better or worse, horses trained by Bob Baffert, who endured perhaps the most challenging year of his career, won five of the 11 races on the card, including the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. One of those wins came with Frankie Dettori aboard Country Grammar in the San Antonio Stakes, affording the decorated international jockey the first of three opportunities to perform a “Dettori Dismount” in the winner’s circle.
