Part One of BloodHorse’s 2023 year-end survey.

Santa Anita Park’s Classic Meet opener Dec. 26 proved a rousing success, as an on-track crowd of 37,143 contributed to all-sources handle of $18.3 million, which rates as the best handle ever among a total of 17 opening dates conducted on a Tuesday.

Speed Boat Beach, a 3-year-old son of Bayern, held off a tenacious Hejazi to win by 1 1/2 lengths and capture his first grade 1 win for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who also trains Hejazi.

Speed Boat Beach, a 3-year-old son of Bayern, held off a tenacious Hejazi to win by 1 1/2 lengths and capture his first grade 1 win for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who also trains Hejazi.

Watsonville shook off two unsuccessful attempts in graded stakes and proved that graded company is where he belongs with a gutsy win in the one-mile, $200,000 Santa Anita Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.

In a battle of California-breds, Daddysruby set a hot pace and lasted by a nose over Big Pond to win the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.

Speed Boat Beach, a 3-year-old son of Bayern, held off a tenacious Hejazi to win by about two lengths and capture his first grade 1 win for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who also trains Hejazi.

Newgrange closed the 2023 season the same way he opened it—with a grade 2 victory at Santa Anita Park.

Anisette closed her strong 3-year-old season in style by seizing the lead from front-running Be Your Best in mid-stretch and then drawing off to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.

Closing from last, Madaket Stables’ Easter outfinished Missed the Cut and Tio Magico to win the $200,500 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.