Venue Location
Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. Known as “The Great Race Place,” this historic Thoroughbred racetrack opened in 1934 and is nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains, offering stunning views and a classic racing atmosphere.
Post Time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PT. This is a Grade III stakes race for fillies and mares aged 4 years and up, run at 1 1/2 miles on the downhill turf course, with a purse of $100,000.
Expected Weather Conditions
The forecast for Arcadia, CA, on January 19, 2026, calls for sunny skies with a high of 77°F and a low of 53°F. Expect light winds from the north-northwest at 1-5 mph, low humidity around 20-34%, and no precipitation. These conditions should provide a comfortable day for racing with minimal impact on performance.
Track Conditions
The Astra Stakes will be contested on Santa Anita’s signature downhill turf course, starting from the hillside and transitioning to the main turf oval. Given the dry, sunny weather forecast with no recent rain, the turf is expected to be firm—ideal for speed and stamina in this endurance-testing 1 1/2-mile event. Santa Anita’s turf typically favors horses with good tactical speed and closing ability, especially those comfortable with the unique downhill start.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
This field of six fillies and mares features a mix of proven stakes performers, international imports, and up-and-comers. The race shape could see early pace from horses like Ima Joker or Hey Jessie, setting up for closers like Mrs. Astor. Below is a detailed breakdown, including starting position (post position/PP), recent finishes (last 5 races where available), breeding, and analysis. Morning line (ML) odds are provided for betting reference.
| PP | Horse (Age/Sex/Color) | Sire – Dam | Trainer | Jockey | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Date/Track/Distance/Surface/Position/Speed Figure/Notes) | Analysis |
| 1 | Ima Joker (5/Mare) | Practical Joke – Rue De Cry | Doug F. O’Neill (multiple graded stakes winner; excels with turf routers) | Hector Isaac Berrios (solid mid-pack rider; 15% win rate at SA) | 12/1 | 1/8/26 SA 1 1/8m Turf-Firm 8th (96); 11/24/25 DMR 1 3/8m Turf-Good 3rd (113); 10/10/25 SA 1m Turf-Firm 1st (107); 8/31/25 DMR 1m Turf-Firm 2nd (107); 8/14/25 DMR 1 3/8m Turf-Firm 5th (127) | Versatile mare with solid speed figures on extended turf trips. Recent G3 flop but bounced back from similar before. O’Neill (20% with turf routers) could have her peaking; value for exotics if she stalks the pace. Owner: Purple Rein Racing. |
| 2 | Mrs. Astor (6/Mare) | Lookin At Lucky – Casual | Jonathan Thomas (high-percentage stakes trainer; 25% win rate in graded turf) | Umberto Rispoli (elite turf jockey; 22% win rate at SA, great on closers) | 4/5 | 11/23/25 DMR 1 3/8m Turf-Good 1st (117/Won Red Carpet S.); 8/15/25 DMR 1 3/8m Turf-Firm 3rd (109); 6/14/25 SA 1 1/4m Turf-Firm 1st (98/Won Possibly Perfect S.); 5/4/25 SA 1 1/2m Turf-Firm 1st (117/Won Santa Barbara S.); 3/15/25 SA 1 1/4m Turf-Good 2nd (97) | Class of the field with three stakes wins in 2025, including at this distance. Thrives on firm turf; Rispoli’s closing style fits perfectly. Thomas preps winners (28% first off layoff). Top pick. Owner: Augustin Stables. |
| 3 | Little Hidden Port (ARG) (5/Mare/Bay) | Puerto Escondido (ARG) – Estima (ARG) | John W. Sadler (master with imports; 18% win rate on turf) | Juan J. Hernandez (top SA jockey; 24% win rate, excellent on turf) | 5/1 | 8/2/25 DMR 1 1/16m Dirt 6th (in G1 Clement L. Hirsch S.); Late 2024 ARG Group race win; Late 2024 ARG Group race win; Limited US starts but strong ARG form (3 wins from 14 career starts) | Argentine import with back-to-back group wins abroad before US debut flop on dirt. Sadler excels with South American horses transitioning to turf; Hernandez adds class. Could improve sharply on preferred surface. Longshot appeal. Owner: Not specified. |
| 4 | Thebestisyettobe (IRE) (6/Filly/Dark Bay or Brown) | Elzaam (AUS) – Kramer Drive (IRE) | Philip D’Amato (turf specialist; 21% win rate at SA, great with Euros) | Kazushi Kimura (rising star; 19% win rate, patient rider) | 4/1 | 6/6/25 SA Allowance (speed 92/finish not specified); 5/16/25 SA Race 3 1m Turf win (88); Recent workouts strong; 2025 earnings $32,467; Limited details but consistent mid-90s figures | Irish-bred with a SA win in 2025; D’Amato (30% with Euro imports) could unlock more at distance. Speed figures competitive; Kimura’s style suits a mid-pack run. Solid contender if pace melts. Owner: Not specified. |
| 5 | Sakura Blossom (5/Mare/Dark Bay or Brown) | Classic Empire – Mott N Hester | Leonard Powell (underrated turf trainer; 16% win rate) | Armando Ayuso (aggressive rider; 14% win rate at SA) | 12/1 | 10/25/24 KEE 1m Turf G2 Valley View S. (finish not specified); 2/11/25 SA Race 4 win; 3/15/24 TP $60k win; 2025 earnings $34,250; Recent workouts noted | Lightly raced with turf wins, including at SA. Recent G2 attempt shows ambition; Powell preps well for stakes. Ayuso could send early. Upset potential if others falter. Owner: Not specified. |
| 6 | Hey Jessie (4/Filly) | Grazen – Bea’s Cee | Sean McCarthy (consistent with Cal-breds; 15% win rate) | Mike E. Smith (Hall of Famer; 23% win rate at SA, master closer) | 9/2 | 11/23/25 DMR 1 3/8m Turf-Good 8th (111/Red Carpet G3); 10/19/25 SA 1 1/4m Turf-Firm 1st (91); 9/28/25 SA 1m Turf-Firm 7th (94); 9/1/25 DMR 1 1/16m Turf-Firm 7th (94); 8/9/25 DMR 1m Turf-Firm 4th (114) | Cal-bred with a recent allowance win but struggled in stakes. High speed figures (up to 114); Smith (legend on turf) could rally late. McCarthy’s charge needs clean trip. Exotic player. Owner: Sayjay Racing LLC. |
