ARCADIA — A few days after The Chosen Vron was crowned king of the California-breds, he enjoyed a royal procession.

The popular sprinter glided out of the inside gate, took the lead from Elwood Blues early in the race and went on to win with jockey Hector Berrios in the $100,000, Grade III San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita, making it all look less challenging than the one-length official margin of victory over the oncoming Ghost of Midnight might suggest.

“He was just going so easy,” trainer Eric Kruljac said when asked how confident he felt when The Chosen Vron ruled the 7-furlong race with a quarter-mile to go. “But you never say never. I was on my toes until he crossed the wire.”

It was the 16th victory in 21 career starts, and the second win at the graded stakes level, for the 6-year-old gelding who was named 2023 Cal-bred Horse of the Year by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association on Tuesday.

Backers collected $2.80 per $2 win bet, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show after The Chosen Vron drew $161,440 of the $178,747 wagered to show on the race.

In the afternoon’s other stakes, even-money favorite Stay Hot kept winning photo finishes.

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The 3-year-old turf specialist, ridden by Antonio Fresu for trainer Peter Eurton, won the $100,000 Pasadena by a head over Guy Named Joe. He won his previous two starts by a neck in the Grade III Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar and a head in the Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita. Stay Hot is 4 for 7 in his career.

In an oddity, Stay Hot was one of five horses wearing No. 2 to sweep the early pick-five, which paid $584.70 after Shamrockin won the fifth at 8-1.

There was bad news.

Sixth-race winner Matanzas Creek had to be euthanized, a Santa Anita executive said, after fracturing a foreleg and falling with jockey Frankie Dettori a few strides beyond the finish.

Matanzas Creek walked into a van and was evaluated by veterinarians, who determined he could not be saved. It had been two days short of one year since the last equine fatality in a race at Santa Anita. There have been nine fatalities in training attributed to musculoskeletal injuries during that time, according to the California Horse Racing Board website.

The 4-year-old colt’s victory in an allowance-level sprint was his second in five starts for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Dettori walked away from the fall and was said to be fine, but he took off his three remaining mounts.