Jockey Lanfranco Dettori hugs trainer Bob Baffert after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori celebrates after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori hugs trainer Bob Baffert after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori, right, rides Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori rides Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Country Grammer kicks up dirt on the way to winning the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori rides Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori rides Country Grammer to victory in the $200,000 San Antonio Stakes on Monday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Country Grammer beat Stilleto Boy by 4½ lengths while running the mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.45 in the opening day victory. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori gestures after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori celebrates after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Trainer Bob Baffert, right, with country singer Dwight Yoakam after jockey Lanfranco Dettori (not pictured) rode Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori celebrates after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Lanfranco Dettori relaxes after riding Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Trainer Bob Baffert looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Hornblower Jay Cohen performs prior to the San Antonio Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Hornblower Jay Cohen (not pictured) prepares to play “California Here I Come” prior to the San Antonio Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Dicey Mo Chara (3) to victory in the San Gabriel Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Dicey Mo Chara (3) during the San Gabriel Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. Dicey Mo Chara won the race. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Dicey Mo Chara (3) to victory in the San Gabriel Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Dicey Mo Chara, top, to victory in the San Gabriel Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Dicey Mo Chara, top, to victory in the San Gabriel Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
An outrider looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Fun to Dream to a victory in the La Brea Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Fun to Dream to a victory in the La Brea Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans react during a race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez gestures after riding Fun to Dream to a victory in the La Brea Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez smiles after riding Fun to Dream to a victory in the La Brea Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockeys make their way out of the paddock area as fans look on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A fan walks past with betting tickets in her hat band as more than 41,000 fans were on hand on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A young fan holds up betting tickets on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
There were more than 41,000 fans on hand on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
More than 41,000 fans were on hand on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A man looks over the racing form on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Juan Hernandez rides Rhea Moon to victory in the American Oaks race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans react after jockey Mike Smith (not pictured) wins the Malibu Stakes on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
There were more than 41,000 fans on hand on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
More than 41,000 were on hand on Monday for opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Trainer Bob Baffert looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jockey Mike Smith poses for a picture with a young fan after riding Taiba to victory in the Malibu Stakes race on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
An outrider looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Workers prepare the turf course during horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, March 6, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay looks on during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park on Monday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
People wait in line in the parking lot on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Car fills the parking lot on Monday during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
ARCADIA — Country Grammer, perhaps prepping for the $20 million Saudi Cup in February, toyed with five others in Monday’s $200,000 Grade II San Antonio Stakes as Santa Anita opened its 47-day Classic Meet.
Given an almost three-month layoff by trainer Bob Baffert following a second-place showing in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, Country Grammer beat Stilleto Boy by 4½ lengths while running the mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.45 as the 3-5 favorite.
Frankie Dettori, riding full time at Santa Anita for the first time since his career began in 1987, was aboard for the victory. He rode Country Grammer when the 5-year-old son of Tonalist won the Dubai World Cup by 1¾ lengths on March 26.
It was Baffert’s third victory of the day.
“Thirty-five years went like a flash,” said the 52-year-old Dettori, who plans to retire at the end of 2023. “I’ve got to make these last 12 months the best that I can and enjoy it. Most of all I’ve had a great career, and this is where it all started and this is where it will finish.”
LA HABRA STAKES
Fun to Dream, the second choice at 5-2 ridden by Juan Hernandez, gave Baffert his fourth victory on the card, outlasting Awake At Midnyte by three-quarters of a length in the $300,000 Grade I sprint for 3-year-old fillies. The victory was the Cal-bred daughter of Arrogate’s third in a row and fifth in six starts. The final time for 7 furlongs was 1:21.99.
AMERICAN OAKS
Rhea Moon, with Hernandez in the saddle, closed from ninth to win the $300,000 Grade I race for 3-year-old fillies on the grass. Trained by Philip D’Amato, the daughter of Starspangledbanner beat School Dance by a head while running the mile and a quarter in 2:00.75. She’s won four of nine and never finished worse than third in her starts.
John Velazquez anticipates ‘competitive’ Santa Anita winter meet
SAN GABRIEL STAKES
Hernandez guided Dicey Mo Chara to victory over 21-1 longshot Flashiest in the $200,000 Grade II race for 3-year-olds and older on the turf. Sent postward at 7-2, the 4-year-old Adaay gelding prevailed by a half-length for his fourth victory in 17 starts. The top two finishers are both trained by Leonard Powell. The final time was 1:47.78 for the mile and an eighth.
Mathis Mile
One More Bid, a 16-1 longshot ridden by Ramon Vazquez, outlasted 8-5 favorite Balnikhov by a nose to win the $200,000 race for 3-year-olds on the turf and give trainer Ryan Hanson his first Grade II victory. The final time for the 1 mile was 1:33.67.
