Emisael Jaramillo, O’Neill, and Kretz Racing dominate the Classic Meet at Santa Anita Park

The Venezuelan jockey sparkled in his first full California campaign, while the trainer reasserted his authority and the racing stable secured a milestone title

Emisael Jaramillo shines in high-profile California debut / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special to Turf Diario)— The curtain fell Sunday on the 2025/26 Santa Anita Classic Meet,leaving behind a trail of breakout performances and veteran reinforcements that set the stage for the upcoming American racing calendar. Venezuelan standout Emisael Jaramillo among jockeys, Doug O’Neill in the trainers’ standings, and Kretz Racing for owners emerged as the primary protagonists of a session that will resume action on April 17 with the start of the Hollywood Meet.

The most compelling narrative centered on the 48-year-old Jaramillo. In his first full season at Santa Anita, the Venezuelan rider delivered an authoritative performance to clinch the riding title. He notched 50 wins from 229 mounts,boasting a remarkable 22% strike rate, and added six stakes victories to his tally, including the San Marcos (G3) with Mondego (Lope de Vega) and the Santa Ana (G3) with Take a Breath (Bated Breath).

After years as a fixture at Gulfstream Park, Jaramillo’s move to California proved to be a masterstroke. Backed by O’Neill and agent Tom Knust, his transition was seamless, fueled by a relentless work ethic and veteran experience. His mounts earned over $2.4 million in purses, underscoring the immediate impact of his arrival on the West Coast.

In the trainers’ ranks, Doug O’Neill reasserted his dominance. With 36 victories and a 23% efficiency rate, he gapped runner-up Mark Glatt to secure his first title since the 2023/24 season. His success was highlighted by Grade 3 scores in the Megahertz with the Peruvian-bred Princesa Moche (Mwaary) and the Sweet Life Stakes (L) with Light Won Up (City of Light).

Among owners, Kretz Racing achieved a historic milestone by capturing their first-ever meeting title. The operation, led by Rustin Kretz, displayed surgical precision with seven wins from just 20 starts. Their charge was led by the undefeated Captain Choochies (Classic Empire) and the seasoned Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the San Gabriel (G3).

The meet also featured high-caliber milestones beyond the standings. So Happy (Runhappy) handed Mark Glatt his first Santa Anita Derby (G1) trophy, providing Mike Smith with his fifth victory in the classic prep. Other highlights included Meaning (Gun Runner) taking the Santa Anita Oaks (G2), Tyler Baze reaching his 3,000th career win, and Richard Baltas securing his second