Twilight Derby
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1969 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Santa Anita Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $200,000 (since 2014) |
The Twilight Derby is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Santa Anita Park during the fall meet each year. The Grade IIT event is open to three-year-old horses willing to race 1+1⁄8 miles on the turf and offers a purse of $200,000.
The Twilight Derby was inaugurated in 1969 as the Volante Handicap, and was named for Lucky Baldwin's 1885 American Derby winner, Volante, who was rode to the finish line by jockey Isaac Burns Murphy. In 1997 the Volante Handicap was renamed the Oak Tree Derby after the Oak Tree Racing Association. It was run on the undercard of the Saturday Breeders' Cup card in 2008, 2009 and 2016. In 2010, the race was run at Hollywood Park.
Records
Time record:
- 1:44.48 - The Usual Q.T. (2009)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Charles E. Whittingham (1977, 1979)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Bill Shoemaker (1969, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1979)
- 5 - Alex Solis (1985, 1992, 1997, 2000, 2002)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - Charles E. Whittingham (1969, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1989)
Winners of the Oak Tree Derby
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Frank Conversation | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1:46.81 |
| 2015 | Om | Gary Stevens | Dan L. Hendricks | Sareen Family Trust | 1:45.90 |
| 2014 | Long on Value | Rosie Napravnik | William I. Mott | Watchtel Stables | 1:46.82 |
| 2013 | Rookie Sensation | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | Stronach Stables | 1:46.54 |
| 2012 | Grandeur (IRE) | William Buick | Jeremy Noseda | Yvonne Jacques | 1:46.78 |
| 2011 | Ultimate Eagle | Martin Pedroza | Michael Pender | B. J. Wright | 1:47.03 |
| 2010‡ | Fantastic Pick (GB) | Corey Nakatani | James Lloyd | Jim Ford, Robert Maycock & Ken Smole | 1:48.51 |
| 2009 | The Usual Q.T. | Victor Espinoza | James M. Cassidy | Don van Racing, Inc., et al. | 1:44.48 |
| 2008 | Muny | David Flores | Mike Puype | Brewer Racing Stable, et al. | 1:47.69 |
| 2007 | Daytona (IRE) | Mike Smith | Dan L. Hendricks | Davenport, Lenner, Ravich, Murray | 1:46.40 |
| 2006 | Dark Islander (IRE) | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | John Hills | Donald M. Kerr | 1:46.21 |
| 2005 | Aragorn (IRE) | Patrick Valenzuela | Neil D. Drysdale | Ballygallon Stud Ltd. | 1:46.48 |
| 2004 | Greek Sun | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Peter G. Angelos | 1:48.08 |
| 2003 | Devious Boy (GB) | Julie Krone | Kathy Walsh | James R. Vreeland | 1:48.92 |
| 2002 | Johar | Alex Solis | Richard E. Mandella | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1:46.00 |
| 2001 | No Slip (FR) | Kent Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Amerman Racing Stables LLC | 1:46.56 |
| 2000 | Sign of Hope (GB) | Alex Solis | Neil D. Drysdale | Relatively Stable | 1:47.71 |
| 1999 | Mula Gula | Gary Stevens | Jerry Hollendorfer | Steven J. Gula | 1:46.67 |
| 1998 | Ladies Din | Gary Stevens | Julio Canani | Lanni, Schiappa & Sloan | 1:50.24 |
| 1997 | Lasting Approval | Alex Solis | Diane L. Perkins | Wimborne Farm | 1:50.84 |
| 1996 | Odyle | Chris McCarron | J. Paco Gonzalez | Brimacombe, McCaffery & Toffan | 1:46.83 |
| 1995 | Helmsman | Chris McCarron | Wallace Dollase | Horizon Stable, Jarvis & Taber | 1:48.98 |
| 1994 | Run Softly | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1:49.96 |
| 1993 | Eastern Memories | Jerry D. Bailey | Mark A. Hennig | Team Valor, Amerman & Stibor | 1:48.00 |
| 1992 | Blacksburg | Alex Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 1:48.00 |
| 1991 | General Meeting | Kent Desormeaux | David Hofmans | Golden Eagle Farm | 1:46.78 |
| 1990 | In Excess | Gary Stevens | Bruce L. Jackson | Jack J. Munari | 1:46.60 |
| 1989 | Seven Rivers | Robbie Davis | Charles Whittingham | Enemy Stable & Mandysland Farm | 1:45.80 |
| 1988 | Coax Me Clyde | Patrick Valenzuela | Barry Knight | Vistas Stables | 1:48.40 |
| 1987 | The Medic | Sandy Hawley | Gary F. Jones | Dr. Edward Giammarino | 1:47.80 |
| 1986 | Air Display | Gary Stevens | Darrell Vienna | Apple, Forgnone, Levy, et al. | 1:48.00 |
| 1985 | Justoneoftheboys | Alex Solis | Ronald McAnally | Cohen & Recachina | 1:47.60 |
| 1984 | Tights | Chris McCarron | Laz Barrera | Mill House Stable | 1:46.60 |
| 1983 | Mamaison | Chris McCarron | Richard E. Mandella | Bretzfield & Oliver | 1:49.80 |
| 1982 | Lamerok | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Leroy Jolley | Peter M. Brant | 1:46.20 |
| 1981† | Seafood | Marco Castaneda | Ronald McAnally | Elmendorf Farm | 1:49.00 |
| 1981† | Waterway Drive | Jerry Bailey | Robin Frank | Eric Frank | 1:49.00 |
| 1980 | Pocketful in Vail | Fernando Toro | Jerry M. Fanning | Kahn, Morcus & Rosburg | 1:47.80 |
| 1979 | Hyannis Port | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Bell Bloodstock Co. & C. Whittingham | 1:47.60 |
| 1978 | Wayside Station | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | John H. Adams | El Peco Ranch | 1:47.80 |
| 1977 | Kulak | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Bradley, C. Whittingham & Wynne, Jr. | 1:46.80 |
| 1976 | Today 'n Tomorrow | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Roger E. Clapp | Connie M. Ring | 1:46.80 |
| 1975 | Messenger of Song | Jerry Lambert | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 1:46.80 |
| 1974 | Within Hail | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Bwamazon Farm | 1:48.40 |
| 1973 | NO RACE | ||||
| 1972 | Bicker | Glen Brogan | Robert Wingfield | Green Thumb Farm Stable | 1:48.20 |
| 1971 | Vegas Vic | Howard Grant | Randy Sechrest | Fritz-Sechrest | 1:48.20 |
| 1970 | Mickey McGuire | Bill Shoemaker | Paul K. Parker | Vanguard Stable-Madden | 1:47.40 |
| 1969 | Tell | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Elizabeth A. Keck | 1:46.80 |
‡ In 2010 run at Hollywood Park.
† In 1981, Seafood and Waterway Drive finished in a dead heat for the win.
† In 1981, Seafood and Waterway Drive finished in a dead heat for the win.