Hernandez, D’Amato, Spendthrift Top Santa Anita Autumn Standings

[Wandering Eyes]

Juan Hernandez, Phil D'Amato and Spendthrift Farm were the leading jockey, trainer and owner, respectively, during the Santa Anita Autumn Meet which concluded Sunday, Oct. 26.

It was a ninth jockey's title at Santa Anita for Hernandez, who posted 28 wins from 92 runners (30.4%) and was also tops among jockeys with eight wins in stakes company and $1,707,338 in purse earnings. Umberto Rispoli was runner-up in the standings on 19 winners from 79 mounts ( 24.1%).

Among Hernandez's biggest wins at the meet were 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Explora (Blame) in the GII Oak Leaf Stakes and closing-weekend scores aboard Test Score (Lookin At Lucky) in the GII Twilight Derby and Warming (Global Campaign) in the GIII Autumn Miss Stakes.

“I'd like to thank all the trainers and owners again, for all the support they give me. They trust me to ride their horses,” said Hernandez, a 33-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico.

D'Amato was taking down his eighth crown as top trainer at Santa Anita, with highlight victories in the GII John Henry Turf Championship with the evergreen Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) and Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) in the GII Rodeo Drive Stakes. D'Amato saddled 13 winners from 54 starters (24.1%).

“I love it here,” D'Amato said in a winner's circle ceremony Sunday. “We focused on having a big second half of 2025 and it has worked out thus far. Hopefully it continues to Santa Anita Winter. I always tell everybody you are only as good as your help. I've got super assistants at Santa Anita, at Los Alamitos and in Kentucky. It is a total team effort, from good help all the way down. I'm only as good as my help. You can see I have some great people behind me and they make it easy for me every day.”

Spendthrift was represented by four winners from seven starters, highlighted by the GIII Chillingworth Stakes won by their 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), a leading chance in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Racing resumes at the Great RIP with the start of the 2025-2026 Classic Meet on Friday, Dec. 26.

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