The 2025-26 Classic Meet at Santa Anita wrapped Sunday as jockey Emisael Jaramillo, trainer Doug O'Neill, and owner Kretz Racing stood atop their respective categories as leading rider, trainer, and owner, the track announced Monday evening.
Leading rider at Gulfstream Park, Jaramillo won 50 races from 229 mounts at the Great Race Place, a 22 percent strike rate, in his first season riding full-time at Santa Anita Park. Of that total, six were stakes races including the GIII San Marcos and the GIII Santa Ana Stakes. Jaramillo's mounts earned a total of $2,476,200 in purse earnings.
Many of the rider's wins came riding for O'Neill, who along with agent Tom Knust, were instrumental in Jaramillo's move to Santa Anita.
“I love California,” Jaramillo said during a winner's circle ceremony Sunday. “I want to thank my agent Tom and Doug O'Neill for the opportunity to come to California.”
Jaramillo, who is the all-time winningest rider in his native Venezuela, has won 1,932 races in North America.
O'Neill dominated the trainer's standings with 36 wins from 157 starters (23 percent)–eight victories clear of runner-up Mark Glatt. His last trainer's title at Santa Anita came during the 2023-24 Classic Meet. The stable struck to claim the GIII Megahertz and the Sweet Life Stakes, earning $1,768,080 in total purse money.
“First and foremost you have to thank all the owners, all the help and my assistant Leandro Mora. He is the main key,” O'Neill said. “I'm very blessed to be surrounded by horsemen and women that love what they do. It is just amazing.”
Kretz Racing enjoyed a noteworthy, fruitful meet as well with seven wins from just 20 starters, led by Captain Choochies (Classic Empire) as the grey gelding went four-for-four at the meet and remained unbeaten in his last six jumps. The runner is conditioned by George Papaprodromou, who has been the longtime trainer for Kretz Racing.
“If it wasn't for Kretz Racing, I wouldn't be here right now,” Papaprodromou said. “[Rustin Kretz] is a great guy and I couldn't be happier. I've been training for them close to 15 years now and so far so good.”
Live racing will resume at Santa Anita Friday, Apr. 17 with the start of the 30-day Hollywood Meet, which will run through Sunday, June 14.
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