Santa Anita Stable Notes Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2026

- •4 STAKES ON CLOSING WEEKEND, 2 GRADED & 2 FOR CAL-BRED 2YOS - •EARLIER POST TIMES, BC WAGERING, MANDATORY PAYOUTS SUNDAY - •OWNER’S STANDINGS: LOVINGIER ENTERS CLOSING WEEK WITH LEAD - •PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR OPENING DAY OF THE CLASSIC MEET OPEN

4 STAKES ON CLOSING WEEKEND, 2 GRADED & 2 FOR CAL-BRED 2YOS The Santa Anita Autumn Meet closes on Sunday. Highlighting the racing action on the final weekend of the start are three stakes on a 10-race card Saturday—the Grade III Goldikova, and both the Golden State Juvenile and Golden State Juvenile Fillies for California-breds; and then on a 10-race card Sunday, the feature is the GII Twilight Derby.

The Goldikova is for fillies and mares at one mile on turf and goes as Saturday’s eighth race at approximately 4:30 p.m. A highly competitive field of 11 is signed on led by 3-1 program favorite Miss Nightfall, one of three entrants for trainer Jonathan Thomas. A 4-year-old English-bred filly by Sands of Mali, Miss Nightfall ships in from out of state for her second domestic start. In her U.S. debut at Saratoga on Sept. 7, a first-level allowance going one mile on turf, Miss Nightfall rallied from last in a six-horse field and edged away late to win comfortably by 1 ¾ lengths. She’ll have Jamie Spencer aboard in the Goldikova.

Also entered for Thomas is Ambaya (4-1), who will be making her first start since winning the GI American Oaks last December at Santa Anita; and As Catch Can, who also hasn’t started since the American Oaks when finishing ninth.

The Goldikova field in post position order: Miss Nightfall, Jamie Spencer (3-1); As Catch Can, Ricky Gonzalez (20-1); May Day Ready, Drayden Van Dyke (5-1); Little Jamie, Tiago Pereira (10-1); Bojaca Blessing, Hector Berrios (5-1); Raw Ability, Abel Lezcano (12-1); Ambaya, Emmanuel Esquivel (4-1); Princesa Moche, Armando Ayuso (20-1); Mo’ Em Down, Armando Aguilar (15-1); Baltic Fire, Kyle Frey (8-1); Lady In Paris, Victor Espinoza (15-1).

Looming in the Golden State Juvenile going seven furlongs is Early Encore, a heavy 2-5 favorite on the morning line. Trained by John Sadler, the colt by Early Voting most recently aired by 6 ¼ lengths in the six-furlong I’m Smokin Stakes for statebreds on Sept. 7 at Del Mar. The runner-up that day, Net Par, came back to finish second in the GI American Pharoah earlier this month at Santa Anita.

The 5-1 second choice is Golden Club, a Clubhouse Ride colt trainer by Craig Lewis. Golden Club exits a statebred maiden win going six furlongs on turf on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. He debuted on dirt in July at Del Mar and finished second behind Net Par.

“I think he’ll run on any surface. We’ll find out,” Lewis said.

Golden Club will be ridden by Hector Berrios for the first time.

“The (favorite) is very tough,” Lewis said. “But you never know what’s going to happen. We’re hoping for a good performance.”

The Golden State Juvenile goes as the third race at 1:33 p.m. PT. The field in post position order: Early Encore, Armando Ayuso (2-5); Angel’s Ember, Victor Espinoza (6-1); Empire of Ash, Edwin Maldonado (15-1); The Moe Show, Kyle Frey (20-1); Golden Club, Hector Berrios (5-1); Believer, Tyler Baze (20-1); Cupid Cowboy, Abel Lezcano (20-1); Fumano’s Fire, Cristobal Herrera (20-1).

The Golden State Juvenile fillies will feature the encore performance of standout maiden winner Ember Royale, the 6-5 morning line favorite trained by Jeff Bonde. By Halladay, Ember Royale romped to a 17-length victory in her debut against statebred maidens going six furlongs on Sept. 26. The effort earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure, which towers over her rivals in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies.

Ember Royale’s chief rival is Free Closer the 7-2 second choice on the morning line who exits a pair of graded stakes tries. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Free Closer in her two most recent starts finished second in both the GII Oak Leaf going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 3 and the GI Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs in September. When last in with statebreds, Free Closer won the CTBA Stakes going 5 ½ furlongs in August at Del Mar.

The Golden State Juvenile Fillies goes as the ninth race at approximately 5 p.m. The field in post position order: You Trust Me, Jamie Spencer (30-1); Beautiful Dawn, Drayden Van Dyke (15-1); Lihue Princess, Tiago Pereira (30-1); Ms Granger Danger, Kyle Frey (30-1); Manee, Tyler Baze (10-1); Daytona Diamond, Armando Ayuso (9-2); Free Closer, Hector Berrios (7-2); Ember Royale, Armando Aguilar (6-5); Stay Bossy, Manuel Americano (30-1); Tashi, Victor Espinoza (30-1); Palo Alto Baby, Emmanuel Esquivel (15-1); Strident Miss, Welfin Orantes (30-1).

EARLIER POST TIMES, BC WAGERING, MANDATORY PAYOUTS SUNDAY

Santa Anita will have earlier first post time on both Saturday and Sunday, the final two days of the Autumn Meet. On Saturday, simulcast wagering on the Breeders’ Cup will also be available; while on closing day Sunday, there will be mandatory payouts in all pari-mutuel pools.

On Saturday, first post is at 12:30 p.m. PT for a 10-race card. Patrons will be able to enter the grounds starting at 7:45 a.m. through the East Gate for wagering on the Breeders’ Cup. The first race on the Breeders’ Cup program at Keeneland is at 8:15 a.m.

Fans can watch and wager on the Breeders' Cup from the FrontRunner featuring a buffet and a souvenir Breeders' Cup Hi-ball glass, or reserve a seat in the Premium Box Seats, or SILKS. Fans can also enjoy the Smorgasburg Thai Day Trackside with some of the best Thai pop-up vendors in Los Angeles.

Also Saturday, Santa Anita will have a Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fun Fest in the infield and center fountain. There will be pumpkin painting, a straw maze, inflatable jumpers, carnival games, trackless train ride, pony rides and face painting among other activities.

On Sunday, first post time is at 12 p.m. for a 10-race card. As its closing day of the Autumn Meet, all pari-mutuel pools must be paid out in full. This is particularly significant for bets such as the $2 Pick 6, $1 Place Pick 8, $1 Super High 5, $1 Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 and $1 Sunset Pick 6, wagers in which the pools normally “carryover” to the following day if not successfully hit. On closing day, they will all be paid out in full.

PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR OPENING DAY OF THE CLASSIC MEET NOW OPEN

Pre-sale tickets for Opening Day of the Classic Meet on Saturday, Dec. 26 are now open for those that are members of Santa Anita’s 1/ST Rewards loyalty program. Fans can sign up for 1/ST Rewards at santaanita.com/opening to gain access to the special pre-sale link.

Public on-sale tickets for the Classic Meet’s Opening Day will be available on Monday.

Pre-Sale tickets for Opening Day offerings include: • General Admission Early Bird: $15. (Walk-up $25) • Reserved Seats: SILKS, Premium Box Seats, and Loge Box Seats
• Opening Day in the Chandelier Room & Premium SILKS • Trackside Dining on Opening Day • FrontRunner Buffet on Opening Day • Club Court Buffet on Opening Day

OWNER’S STANDINGS: LOVINGIER ENTERS CLOSING WEEK WITH LEAD

With three days remaining in the Autumn Meet, Terry Lovingier holds a slim lead in the race for leading owner. Entering Friday, Lovingier had won five races, one more than runner-up Hronis Racing.

The statistics below are compiled by Thoroughbred Owners of California. If a winning horse has multiple owners, the victory is awarded to the group’s managing partner.

FINISH LINES: Friday’s $1 Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 starts at 2:05 p.m. PT with the ninth race from Gulfstream Park…The $1 Sunset Pick 6 begins at 1:25 p.m. with the eighth race from Gulfstream…Santa Anita simulcast host Zoe Cadman will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Saturday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. PT.