Santa Anita Stable Notes Monday, Jan. 19, 2026

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

MONDAY, JAN 19, 2026

FRENCH JOCKEY BELMONT GETS OFF THE MARK AT SANTA ANITA

Young jockey Cesar Belmont arrived in the U.S. from France at the end of the Del Mar fall meet “to follow my dream.” In just his second mount—and first time ever racing on dirt—Belmont earned his first U.S. win aboard Sendit Mo for trainer Peter Miller.

“Gate to wire,” Belmont noted.

On Saturday, the 21-year-old reinsman made his presence felt at Santa Anita. In the third race, a maiden event for California-breds at six furlongs on turf, Belmont guided massive longshot Famous Forza to victory from off the pace with a ground-saving trip for trainer Bill McLean. The horse paid $136.80 for a $2 win wager.

“I’ve always been fond of American racing. I’ve been watching Breeders’ Cup weekend and the Kentucky Derby since I was a kid,” Belmont said. “I would say up late at night and watch. I’d watch the Derby and would think, I want roses on my horses someday too.”

Belmont’s father, Francois Belmont, is a trainer in France. The younger Belmont said the decision to come to the U.S. was made after he broke his collarbone in December 2024.

“I had a month off to think about everything. I was watching replays of American races and I found an article that (retired Hall of Fame jockey) Gary Stevens was an agent. I called him and started working on getting a U.S. visa,” Belmont said.

Stevens then suggested Belmont contact agent Derek Lawson for further help in making the transition to the U.S. Lawson previously played a key role in bringing over from France Flavien Prat, who has since become arguably America’s best jockey.

“I called him and he fell in love with me,” Belmont said with a laugh.

Through Sunday, Belmont had won three races from 22 mounts with three additional runner-up finishes.

“I’m only 21, but I have a true desire to push forward and do something big in my career,” Belmont said. “I had 65 wins in France, including my first stakes win for my father at Longchamp, but I definitely wanted something more.”

WORKS: SUPER CORREDORA, MOTORIOUS AMONG NOTABLES

On Monday at Santa Anita, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Super Corredora worked towards an expected start in the Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes and Motorious returned to the tab after being the beaten favorite in the GII Joe Hernandez on Dec. 29.

Joining Motorious for trainer Phil D’Amato on the tab were graded stakes winners Public Assembly, Jungle Peace and Iron Man Cal. Among Bob Baffert’s workers were Mawu, who was scratched from the GIII Las Flores on Jan. 11; and Potente, an unraced 3-year-old by Into Mischief who sold for $2.4 million as a yearling.

Super Corredora fired a bullet for trainer John Sadler with a five-furlong work in 59.80 seconds. It was the fastest of 21 works at the distance. By Gun Runner, Super Corredora won the Juvenile Fillies on the front end by three-quarters of a length under Hector Berrios.

Motorious worked four furlongs on the synthetic training track in 48.80 seconds. In the Joe Hernandez on the hillside turf course, the 8-year-old gelding was never a factor and finished seventh.

Public Assembly most recently finished fifth as the odds-on favorite in the GIII Robert J. Frankel Jan. 8. The 5-year-old mare by More Than Ready returned to the tab with a four-furlong work on the main track in 52.60 seconds.

Iron Man Cal and Jungle Peace are both on the comeback trail for D’Amato. Iron Man Cal, a 4-year-old Collected colt, worked three furlongs in 37.60 seconds. It was his second timed workout this year. Winner of the GIII Zuma Beach as a 2-year-old, he’s been sidelined since finishing second in the Oceanside Stakes in July at Del Mar.

Jungle Peace, a 4-year-old filly from Ireland, worked for the first time this year. She went three furlongs in 37.40 seconds. Jungle Peace won last year’s GIII Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita. She’s been off since finishing seventh in the Senator Ken Maddy at Del Mar on Oct. 31.

Potente was a high-priced auction purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale by owner Speedway Stable. He has worked eight times since late November. On Monday, Potente drilled five furlongs from the gate in 1:01.20.

PRE-VETERINARY INTERNS FROM CAL POLY TO JOIN SANTA ANITA

Two students from the Cal Poly Pomona Equine Studies Program, Amaranta Torres and Keira Roberts, will join Santa Anita as interns starting on Jan. 30. Their primary focus will be on veterinary services and racing operations.

This is the third year of the internship program between Santa Anita and Cal Poly Pomona. Its goal is to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in the Thoroughbred industry while also offering valuable exposure to potential career paths.

“Internships play a vital role in introducing emerging professionals to our industry while providing meaningful, hands-on experience,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, 1/ST’s Vice President of Industry Relations.

FINISH LINES: Following Monday’s special Holiday program, live racing will resume on Friday at Santa Anita with an eight-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. PT. Entered in an allowance event on the downhill turf course is Speed Boat Beach, the 2023 GI Malibu winner. Trained by Bob Baffert, the 6-year-old horse by Bayern was winless in three starts last year. He was a two-time winner on turf as a 2-year-old…There is a $20,991 carryover in today’s $1 Super High 5. It is offered on the ninth and final race. Post time is approximately 4:30 p.m.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.