Marathon Grade III San Juan Capistrano At About 1 ¾ Miles On Turf Sunday Puts A Bow On Santa Anita Hollywood Meet

MARATHON GRADE III SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AT ABOUT 1 ¾ MILES ON TURF SUNDAY PUTS A BOW ON SANTA ANITA HOLLYWOOD MEET

Closing day of the Hollywood meet also includes Father’s Day celebrations and mandatory payouts in all wagering pools

ARCADIA, CA (June 10, 2025)—The 86th running of Santa Anita traditional closing day feature, the Grade III, $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 ¾ miles on turf, will help close the curtain on the Hollywood Meet Sunday at The Great Race Place. The day’s highlights also include mandatory payouts in all pari-mutuel pools and a variety of Father’s Day celebrations for on-track patrons.

In the San Juan Capistrano, a field of eight is signed on including three for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Leading the trio is the mare Mrs. Astor, a multiple graded stakes winner who is also cross entered in Saturday’s Possibly Perfect Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 ¼ miles on turf.

Mrs. Astor, 5-year-old daughter of Lookin at Lucky, most recently rolled by five lengths in the 1 ½-mile Santa Barbara Stakes for fillies and mares on May 4 at Santa Anita. She previously won the GIII Robert J. Frankel in December at Santa Anita and GIII Red Carpet at Del Mar in November. A homebred for George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable, Mrs. Astor is 18: 5-3-3 with $435,235 in earnings. She’ll have regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard, whether in the San Juan Capistrano or the Possibly Perfect.

Balladeer set the pace in the GII Charles Whittingham at 1 ¼ miles May 3 and could not hold off the closers to be beaten 1 ¼ lengths in a game effort. Trainer George Papaprodromou will take blinkers off Balladeer for the San Juan Capistrano. Owned by Calvin Nguyen and Joey C. Tran, the 6-year-old horse by Distorted Humor is 27: 4-2-2 with $466,290 in earnings. Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux will again be aboard Balladeer after riding him for the first time in the Whittingham.

Divin Propos, trained by Phil D’Amato is back at Santa Anita seeking a graded-stakes breakthrough. On May 17, the 5-year-old gelding by George Vancouver shipped to Pimlico and finished fourth in the GIII Dinner Party going 1 1/8 miles. Owned by Madaket Stables and Panic Stable, Divin Propos has been limited to minor shares in five consecutive graded stakes. He started his career in his native France and has an overall record of 15: 4-3-5 with $178,918 in earnings. Ricky Gonzalez has the call on Divin Propos.

In addition to the world-class Thoroughbred racing, there are several Father’s Day-related events planned on-track. They include a Father’s Day FrontRunner Buffet; Trackside Dining featuring a multi-course family style lunch; Father’s Day BBQ on the trackside apron; and in the plush Chandelier room, “Drams for Dads” featuring a bevy of gourmet delights that include whiskey tasting and a buffet.

Ticket packages for Father’s Day at Santa Anita are available at santaanita.com.

THE GIII SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 12 Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT

1. Nitti—Armando Ayuso—122
2. For Arrogate—Drayden Van Dyke—117
3. Time Song—Hector Berrios—122
4. Maltese Falcon—Juan Hernandez—126
5. Santa Barbarian—Kazushi Kimura—118
6. Mrs. Astor—Umberto Rispoli—121
7. Divin Propos—Ricky Gonzalez—122
8. Balladeer—Kent Desormeaux—126

With an expanded 12-race card Sunday, first post is at 12:30 p.m. PT. Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m.