The Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3), postponed on New Yr’s Eve at Santa Anita because of rain now set for Thursday, traces its origins to its inauguration because the San Gorgonio Handicap in 1968.
It was initially run as a dash over roughly 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course, and a horse named Tumble Wind, skilled by the legend Charlie Whittingham, was the primary winner.
The race lasted as a downhill dash for precisely one yr and shifted in 1969 to a 1 1/8-mile turf characteristic because the San Gorgonio Claiming Stakes, then was not held in 1970.
By 1976, it reverted to the San Gorgonio Handicap and have become a handicap solely for fillies and mares, highlighted that yr by the Chilean-bred Tizna’s slender win whereas carrying a report 132 kilos as the favourite, a quantity that also stands as the very best impost carried by a feminine in Santa Anita historical past.
Scheduling quirks led to the race being run twice in 1977 (January and December) and skipped in 1978, earlier than it stabilized as an annual January fixture till transferring to late December in latest a long time.
The San Gorgonio earned Grade 3 classification in 1983 and was elevated to Grade 2 in 1985, although it has sometimes been taken off the turf because of climate, together with a dust working in 2016 that resulted in a brief lack of graded standing. In 2010, following the passing of Corridor of Fame coach Robert J. Frankel, who saddled a report eight winners of the race – 1973, Additional Hand; 1996, Wandesta; 1997, Sixieme Sens; 1999, See You Quickly; 2001, Uncharted Haven); 2003, Tates Creek; 2004, Megahertz; and 2007, Citronnade – Santa Anita renamed it the Robert J. Frankel Stakes to honor his legacy. It was downgraded to Grade 3 in 2012 and presently carries a $100,000 purse.
Over its historical past, the race has featured quite a few standout performers, together with Paseana in 1992, the Argentine-bred Eclipse Award-winning older feminine who triumphed underneath coach Ron McAnally; Wait a Whereas in 2008, who achieved the occasion’s highest Equibase Velocity Determine of 121 underneath Todd Pletcher; and Tout Charmant in 2002, a sentimental favourite ridden by Chris McCarron in one among his ultimate main wins in his Corridor of Fame profession.
Different notable winners embody Monitor Theft (1982), the older feminine champion that yr; Queens Courtroom Queen (1995), who upset the sector off the turf; and newer stars like Mucho Uncommon (2020), Queen Goddess (2022), Angel Nadeshiko (2023) and Mrs. Astor (2024), who received by a nostril underneath Frankie Dettori for coach Jonathan Thomas, a yr in the past.
Frankel Stakes Odds: Public Meeting 9-5 favourite in subject of eight
This would be the first graded stakes race of the yr in California, and it’s race 7 on the cardboard.
This yr’s renewal, which has been carded because the afternoon’s seventh race, shapes up as an intriguing contest with a subject of eight following a redraw. There are three new entries, whereas two unique starters weren’t re-entered, growing betting choices and angles for everybody.
Public Meeting (9-5)
Public Meeting is skilled by Phil D’Amato with Umberto Rispoli within the saddle, leaving from gate 1. The Extra Than Prepared mare boasts a powerful runner-up end at two furlongs farther in her final outing, the Pink Carpet Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. The rail isn’t a horrible popping out of the turf chute at Santa Anita, although she’ll want to beat visitors when doubtlessly getting buried alongside the within if she makes it to her most popular spot stalking the tempo. She received the Royal Heroine Stakes (G3) final spring at a furlong shorter right here, so she positively has an affinity for the course. She has some sturdy pace and late tempo figures, which may solely assist her possibilities, and he or she has a string of latest near-misses, which counsel she’s peaking into prime kind.
Paradise Lake (2-1)
Paradise Lake, for coach Peter Eurton and jockey Juan Hernandez, will break from publish 5 and returns off a third-place end within the Pink Carpet. The Uncle Mo mare owns three turf wins at Santa Anita already, together with at this distance in allowance firm, and he or she might pose the first problem if she replicates her constant closing kick on what her connections hope can be agency floor. This race is unquestionably a step up in school, however she’s earned her shot right here.
Willa T (8-1)
Willa T enters on a scorching streak, having received her final three races, all on turf at one mile. She’s proven marked enchancment since dropping into claiming ranks in mid-2025, graduating from maiden claimers and progressing by means of allowance and starter non-compulsory claiming ranges in her most up-to-date begin. Her pace figures have climbed steadily, indicating she’s peaking on the proper time. The Oscar Efficiency mare was supplemented into this race, which suggests confidence from the barn regardless of the category bounce. She’s versatile, too, however has been forwardly positioned currently, and since this subject lacks apparent tempo aside from one confirmed frontrunning rival, she’ll seemingly be the pacesetter or dueling early, which might play to her benefit. Tim Yakteen is the coach, with Hector Barrios aboard.
Watchtower (9-2)
Watchtower, skilled by Richard Baltas with Mirco Demuro up from publish 8, brings in a win over the course at this distance, suggesting she might rebound if the turf performs to her benefit, with stalking tendencies. She was a DNF within the Rodeo Drive in October, however the saddle slipped and compelled her to be pulled up. Although she’ll have to enhance on her boring sixth within the Swingtime Stakes in her most up-to-date begin, she is able to being a part of the exotics if not pulling an upset.
Hannah Buckle (10-1)
Eire-bred Hannah Buckle has proven regular enchancment since being imported to the U.S. in 2024, breaking her maiden on her second stateside try to stepping as much as allowance firm, the place, after a few near-misses, she earned her first degree win over the summer season. She’s raced solely on turf at Del Mar and Santa Anita, with distances starting from 6 furlongs to a mile, and he or she’s definitely bred for the 9 furlongs right here. She has no graded stakes expertise however is in good arms with coach Leonard Powell and jockey Armando Ayuso.
Starry Night time (15-1)
Starry Night time has solely raced on turf, displaying vital enchancment after switching barns from Kevin Attard in Canada to Jonathan Thomas whereas on the East Coast. Her maiden rating got here at Colonial Downs sporting a $40,000 price ticket. It was a sneaky transfer, no person haltered right here, and he or she progressed to seize a starter allowance impressively final out three months in the past. Each wins got here at this distance, and her pace figures have improved steadily, indicating she’s peaking on the proper time. Justify progeny typically excel at basic distances and on the turf, and her dam’s aspect (a mare by Discreet Cat affect) provides stamina for turf routes. This can be a main step up, although.
Son Of Hill (12-1)
The D’Amato barn doubles up with Solar Of Hill, piloted by Kazushi Kimura from publish 6. Her kind and Brazilian breeding trace at untapped potential on U.S. turf, however she hasn’t proven it but in 11 North American begins, so she’ll want enchancment to issue prominently.
Ima Joker (15-1)
The outsider Ima Joker, for coach Doug O’Neill and jockey Emisael Jaramillo, breaks from publish 3 and owns two wins on the Santa Anita turf (one was on the downhill), however her pace figures total counsel she may battle towards this caliber.
Total, the race—even redrawn with new shooters—seems to hinge on tempo dynamics, with Public Meeting and Paradise Lake seemingly dueling for favoritism in a subject the place course specialists maintain a transparent edge.
The Picks: 1 Public Meeting, 2 Paradise Lake, 3 Willa T
The Discipline for the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3), with jockey, coach, odds:
- Public Meeting (Umberto Rispoli, Phil D’Amato), 9-5
- Willa T (Hector Barrios, Tim Yakteen), 8-1
- Ima Joker (Emisael Jaramillo, Doug O’Neill), 15-1
- Hannah Buckle (Armando Ayuso, Leonard Powell) 10-1
- Paradise Lake (Juan Hernandez, Peter Eurton), 2-1
- Solar Of Hill (Kazushi Kimura, Phil D’Amato), 12-1
- Starry Night time (Ricardo Gonzalez, Jonathan Thomas), 15-1
- Watchtower (Mirco Dimuro, Richard Baltas), 9-2
The writing crew at US Racing is comprised of each full-time and part-time contributors with experience in varied points of the Sport of Kings.
