by Jeremy Plonk
December 12, 2022
December 26 promises to be one of the most important days in the history of 1/ST Racing. It’s opening day of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita, opening day of the Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park and host date of the Christmastide Day stakes card at Laurel Park. All month, 1/ST BET will prepare you for a 26th of December to Remember with special content.
Gulfstream Park’s Tropical Park Derby and Tropical Park Oaks headline the South Florida marquee on the big day. Nominations for those 2 stakes closed Sunday. The Derby lured 28 nominees (see full list here), while the Oaks has 16 names in the mix (full list here).
Among the Derby notable nominees are California Frolic, winner of the English Channel and Not Surprising and away since a Virginia Derby runner-up in September; Gio Ponti Stakes 1-2 finishers Churchtown and Steady On; Jersey Derby winner and Saranac runner-up Fuerteventura; Peter Pan runner-up Golden Glider; Bears Den winner Grand David; Kitten’s Joy winner Grand Sonata; Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up and Florida Derby fourth-place finisher Pappacap; Pilgrim runner-up Portfolio Company; and American Turf winner Stolen Base.
The Oaks fillies are led by Virginia Oaks 1-3 finishers Spirit And Glory and Candy Light; Jessamine runner-up Diamond Wow; Glen Cove winner and Victoria Ride runner-up Half Is Enough; Sanibel Island winner My Philly Twirl; Miss Gracie Stakes winner Omixochitl; and recent allowance winner Personal Best, a daughter of Tapit-My Flag.
In the coming days, we’ll look ahead the nominations for Laurel and Santa Anita’s Dec. 26 stakes.
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The 26th of December to Remember Stakes Lineup
Gulfstream Park | Championship Meet | Opening Day
$100K Tropical Park Derby
$100K Tropical Park Oaks
Santa Anita | Classic Meet | Opening Day
$300K G1 Malibu
$300K G1 American Oaks
$300K G1 La Brea
$200K G2 Mathis Mile
$200K G2 San Antonio
$200K G2 San Gabriel
Laurel Park | Christmastide Day Stakes
$100K Carousel
$100K Dave’s Friend
$100K Gin Talking
$100K Heft
$100K Robert Manfuso
$100K Willa On the Move