Twilight Derby Explained

Surface:	Turf
Class:	Grade II
Horse Race:	Twilight Derby
Location:	Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, United States
Inaugurated:	1969 (as Volante Handicap)
Race Type:	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website:	Santa Anita Park
Distance:	miles (9 furlongs)
Track:	Left-handed
Qualification:	Three-year-olds
Weight:	124 lbs.
Purse:	$250,000 (since 2023)

The Twilight Derby is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds over the distance of one-and-one-eighth miles on the turf scheduled annually in late October at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.

History

The event was inaugurated on 18 October 1969 as the Volante Handicap at the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park and was won by the Mrs. Howard B. Keck's entry Tell who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker carrying the imposing weight of 130 pounds by of a length over Noholme Jr. in a time of 1:46. The event was named for Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin's 1885 American Derby winner, Volante, who was ridden to victory by jockey Isaac Burns Murphy. Lucky Baldwin had built the original Santa Anita Racetrack Track in 1907 and Volante was buried at the track.^[1]

When the grading of races began as a Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association project in 1973 the event was classified as Grade III, however, the event was not held that year due to a strike by pari-mutual clerks.

In 1988 and 1989 the event was upgraded to Grade II before returning to Grade III.In 1996 the event was once again upgraded to Grade II.^[2]

In 1997 the event was renamed to the Oak Tree Derby after the Oak Tree Racing Association.^[3] In 2012 with the Oak Tree Racing Association abandoning the Santa Anita Track the event was renamed to the Twilight Derby.^[2]

The event has been held on the undercard of the Saturday Breeders' Cup card in 2008, 2009, 2016, 2019 and 2023.

Records

Time record:

• 1:44.48 – The Usual Q.T. (2009)

Margins:

• lengths - Daytona (IRE) (2007)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 – Charles E. Whittingham (1977, 1979)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 6 – Gary Stevens (1986, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2015, 2017)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 5 – Charles E. Whittingham (1969, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1989)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Santa Anita Park – Twilight Derby
align=center	2023	Seal Team (GB)	Umberto Rispoli	Richard E. Mandella	Perry R. & Ramona S. Bass	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.29	align=center	$254,000	align=center	II	^[4]
align=center	2022	Cabo Spirit	Joe Bravo		Kretz Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.46	align=center	$201,500	align=center	II	^[5]
align=center	2021	Subconscious	Juan Hernandez	Richard E. Mandella	LNJ Foxwoods	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.00	align=center	$202,500	align=center	II	^[6]
align=center	2020	Smooth Like Strait	Umberto Rispoli	Michael W. McCarthy	Cannon Thoroughbreds	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.89	align=center	$202,000	align=center	II	^[7]
align=center	2019	Mo Forza	Joel Rosario	Peter L. Miller	Bardy Farm & OG Boss	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.18	align=center	$202,106	align=center	II	^[8]
align=center	2018	River Boyne (IRE)	Flavien Prat	Jeff Mullins	Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.36	align=center	$201,380	align=center	II	^[9]
align=center	2017	Sharp Samurai	Gary L. Stevens	Mark Glatt	Mark Glatt, Red Barron's Barn & Rancho Temescal	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.36	align=center	$201,380	align=center	II	^[10]
align=center	2016	Frank Conversation	Mario Gutierrez	Doug F. O'Neill	Reddam Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.81	align=center	$201,725	align=center	II	^[11]
align=center	2015	Om	Gary L. Stevens	Dan L. Hendricks	Sareen Family Trust	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.90	align=center	$200,750	align=center	II	^[12]
align=center	2014	Long On Value	Rosie Napravnik	William I. Mott	Watchtel Stables & George J. Kerr	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.82	align=center	$201,500	align=center	II	^[13]
align=center	2013	Rookie Sensation	Victor Espinoza	John Shirreffs	Stronach Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.54	align=center	$152,000	align=center	II	^[14]
align=center	2012	Grandeur (IRE)	William T. Buick	Jeremy Noseda	Yvonne Jacques	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.78	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[15]
Oak Tree Derby
align=center	2011	Ultimate Eagle	Martin A. Pedroza	Michael Pender	B. J. Wright	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.03	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[16]
At Hollywood Park
align=center	2010	Fantastic Pick (GB)	Corey Nakatani	James Lloyd	Jim Ford, Robert Maycock & Ken Smole	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.51	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[17]
At Santa Anita Park
align=center	2009	The Usual Q. T.	Victor Espinoza	James M. Cassidy	Don Van Racing, Michael Nentwig, George Saadeh, Thomas H. Braden	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.48	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[18]
align=center	2008	Muny	David R. Flores	Mike Puype	Robert Bone, Don Johnson, Richard S. Trontz, Brewer Racing Stable & Robinson	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.69	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[19]
align=center	2007	Daytona (IRE)	Mike E. Smith	Dan L. Hendricks	Jeff Davenport, Tom Lenner, Jess Ravich & Thomas W. Murray	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.40	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[20]
align=center	2006	Dark Islander (IRE)	Jose Valdivia Jr.	John W. Hills	Donald M. Kerr	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.21	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[21]
align=center	2005	Aragorn (IRE)	Pat Valenzuela	Neil D. Drysdale	Ballygallon Stud	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.48	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[22]
align=center	2004	Greek Sun	Edgar S. Prado	Robert J. Frankel	Peter G. Angelos	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.08	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[23]
align=center	2003	Devious Boy (GB)	Julie Krone	Kathy Walsh	James R. Vreeland	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.92	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[24]
align=center	2002	Johar	Alex O. Solis	Richard E. Mandella	The Thoroughbred Corporation	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.00	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[25]
align=center	2001	No Slip (FR)		Robert J. Frankel	Amerman Racing Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.56	align=center	$150,000	align=center	II	^[26]
align=center	2000	Sign of Hope (GB)	Alex O. Solis	Neil D. Drysdale	Relatively Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.71	align=center	$250,000	align=center	II	^[27]
align=center	1999	Mula Gula	Gary L. Stevens	Jerry Hollendorfer	Steven J. Gula	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.67	align=center	$250,000	align=center	II	^[28]
align=center	1998	Ladies Din	Gary L. Stevens	Julio C. Canani	J. Terrence Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan	align=center	miles	align=center	1:50.24	align=center	$250,000	align=center	II	^[29]
align=center	1997	Lasting Approval	Alex O. Solis	Diane L. Perkins	Wimborne Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:50.84	align=center	$250,000	align=center	II	^[30]
Volante Handicap
align=center	1996	Odyle	Chris McCarron	J. Paco Gonzalez	Ron Brimacombe, Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.83	align=center	$130,250	align=center	II	^[31]
align=center	1995	Helmsman	Chris McCarron	Wallace Dollase	Horizon Stable, Jarvis & Taber, et al.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.98	align=center	$131,900	align=center	III	^[32]
align=center	1994	Run Softly	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Robert J. Frankel	Juddmonte Farms	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.96	align=center	$109,800	align=center	III	^[33]
align=center	1993		Jerry D. Bailey	Mark A. Hennig	Team Valor, Amerman & Stibor	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.00	align=center	$111,800	align=center	III	^[34]
align=center	1992	Blacksburg	Alex O. Solis	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.00	align=center	$112,700	align=center	III	^[35]
align=center	1991	General Meeting	Kent J. Desormeaux	David E. Hofmans	Golden Eagle Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.78	align=center	$114,500	align=center	III	^[36]
align=center	1990	In Excess (IRE)	Gary L. Stevens	Bruce L. Jackson	Jack J. Munari	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.60	align=center	$110,300	align=center	III	^[37]
align=center	1989	Seven Rivers	Robbie Davis	Charles E. Whittingham	Enemy Stable & Mandysland Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.80	align=center	$111,100	align=center	II	^[38]
align=center	1988	Coax Me Clyde	Pat Valenzuela	Barry Knight	Vistas Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.40	align=center	$135,000	align=center	II	^[39]
align=center	1987	The Medic	Sandy Hawley	Gary F. Jones	Dr. Edward Giammarino	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.80	align=center	$84,050	align=center	III	^[40]
align=center	1986	Air Display	Gary L. Stevens	Darrell Vienna	Apple, Forgnone, Levy, et al.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.00	align=center	$107,450	align=center	III	^[41]
align=center	1985	Justoneoftheboys	Alex O. Solis	Ron McAnally	Morris Cohen & Dion Recachina	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.60	align=center	$110,000	align=center	III	^[42]
align=center	1984	Tights	Chris McCarron	Laz Barrera	Mill House Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.60	align=center	$110,500	align=center	III	^[43]
align=center	1983	Mamaison	Chris McCarron	Richard E. Mandella	Sam Bretzfield & Hal Oliver	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.80	align=center	$108,900	align=center	III	^[44]
align=center	1982	Lamerok	Laffit Pincay Jr.	LeRoy Jolley	Peter M. Brant	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.20	align=center	$111,300	align=center	III	^[45]
align=center rowspan=2	1981	Seafood	Marco Castaneda	Ron McAnally	Elmendorf Farm	align=center rowspan=2	miles	align=center rowspan=2	1:49.00	align=center rowspan=2	$85,450	align=center rowspan=2	III	^[46]
Waterway Drive	Jerry D. Bailey	Robin Frank	Eric Frank
align=center	1980	Pocketful in Vail	Fernando Toro	Jerry M. Fanning	Kahn, Morcus & Rosburg	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.80	align=center	$66,400	align=center	III	^[47]
align=center	1979	Hyannis Port	Bill Shoemaker		Bell Bloodstock & Charles E. Whittingham	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.60	align=center	$54,800	align=center	III	^[48]
align=center	1978	Wayside Station	Laffit Pincay Jr.	John H. Adams	El Peco Ranch	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.80	align=center	$57,100	align=center	III	^[49]
align=center	1977	Kulak	Bill Shoemaker	Charles E. Whittingham	Mary Jones Bradley, Charles E. Whittingham & Buck Wynne Jr.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.80	align=center	$33,300	align=center	III	^[50]
align=center	1976	Today 'n Tomorrow	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Roger E. Clapp	Connie M. Ring	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.80	align=center	$32,950	align=center	III	^[51]
align=center	1975	§ Messenger of Song	Jerry Lambert		Bernard J. Ridder	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.80	align=center	$43,450	align=center	III	^[52]
align=center	1974	Within Hail	Bill Shoemaker	Charles E. Whittingham		align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.40	align=center	$45,250	align=center	III	^[53]
1973	‡ Race not held
align=center	1972	Bicker	Glen Brogan	Robert Wingfield	Green Thumb Farm Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.20	align=center	$33,150	align=center		^[54]
align=center	1971	Vegas Vic	Howard Grant	Randy Sechrest	Betty Sechrest & Charles Fritz	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.20	align=center	$33,550	align=center		^[55]
align=center	1970	Mickey McGuire	Bill Shoemaker	Paul K. Parker	Vanguard Stable (Suzanne Reagan) & Anita Madden	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.40	align=center	$25,450	align=center		^[56]
align=center	1969	§ Tell	Bill Shoemaker	Charles E. Whittingham	Elizabeth A. Keck	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.80	align=center	$57,500	align=center		^[57]

Legend:

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
‡ In 1973 the Volante Handicap was scheduled to be held on Saturday, 7 October 1973, opening day of the Oak Tree Racing Association's meeting at Santa Anita but was cancelled due to a three-day strike by the pari-mutuel clerks.^[58]

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

Notes and References

1. Web site: LAistory: Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin . 4 October 2008 . Lindsay . William-Ross . Southern California Public Radio . 3 October 2020 .
2. Web site: Qatar Twilight Derby (Gr. 2) . Equibase . 2020 . 3 October 2020 .
3. Web site: TWILIGHT DERBY - MULTIPLE TRACKS . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2020 . 3 October 2020.
4. Web site: 2023 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 2) . Equibase . 4 November 2023 . 10 November 2023.
5. Web site: 2022 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 7) . Equibase . 30 October 2022 . 30 October 2022.
6. Web site: 2021 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 1 November 2021.
7. Web site: 2020 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 18 October 2020 . 20 October 2020.
8. Web site: 2019 Qatar Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 3) . Equibase . 2 November 2019 . 2 October 2020.
9. Web site: 2018 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 4 November 2018 . 2 October 2020.
10. Web site: 2017 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 28 October 2017 . 2 October 2020.
11. Web site: 2016 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 4 November 2016 . 2 October 2020.
12. Web site: 2015 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 7) . Equibase . 24 October 2015 . 2 October 2020.
13. Web site: 2014 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 4) . Equibase . 31 October 2014 . 2 October 2020.
14. Web site: 2013 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 5) . Equibase . 1 November 2013 . 2 October 2020.
15. Web site: 2012 Twilight Derby Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 2 November 2012 . 2 October 2020.
16. Web site: 2011 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 15 October 2011 . 2 October 2020.
17. Web site: 2010 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 16 October 2010 . 2 October 2020.
18. Web site: 2009 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 7 November 2009 . 2 October 2020.
19. Web site: 2008 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 11) . Equibase . 25 October 2008 . 2 October 2020.
20. Web site: 2007 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 13 October 2007 . 2 October 2020.
21. Web site: 2006 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 14 October 2006 . 2 October 2020.
22. Web site: 2005 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 15 October 2005 . 2 October 2020.
23. Web site: 2004 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 17 October 2004 . 2 October 2020.
24. Web site: 2003 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 4) . Equibase . 4 October 2003 . 2 October 2020.
25. Web site: 2002 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 13 October 2002 . 2 October 2020.
26. Web site: 2001 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 13 October 2001 . 2 October 2020.
27. Web site: 2000 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 6) . Equibase . 21 October 2000 . 2 October 2020.
28. Web site: 1999 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 23 October 1999 . 2 October 2020.
29. Web site: 1998 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 7) . Equibase . 1 November 1998 . 2 October 2020.
30. Web site: 1997 Oak Tree Derby Grade 2 - (race 4) . Equibase . 2 November 1997 . 2 October 2020.
31. Web site: 1996 Volante Handicap Grade 2 - (race 5) . Equibase . 20 October 1996 . 2 October 2020.
32. Web site: 1995 Volante Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 November 1995 . 2 October 2020.
33. Web site: 1994 Volante Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 23 October 1994 . 2 October 2020.
34. Web site: 1993 Volante Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 November 1993 . 2 October 2020.
35. Web site: 1992 Volante Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 25 October 1992 . 2 October 2020.
36. Web site: 1991 Volante Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 27 October 1991 . 2 October 2020.
37. News: Colt's Buddy System Pays Off (1990 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 21 October 1990) . . 22 October 1990 . 2 October 2020 . 48 . Bob . Mieszerski.
38. News: Seven Rivers Hold Up His End of Stable (1989 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 29 October 1989) . . 30 October 1989 . 2 October 2020 . 54 . Jay . Hovdey .
39. News: Coax Me Clyde Wins by Length at Santa Anita (1988 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 12 October 1988) . . . 13 October 1988 . 2 October 2020 . 11 .
40. News: McCarron Gets Assist for Hawley's Win Aboard The Medic (1987 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 18 October 1987) . . 19 October 1987 . 2 October 2020 . 31 . Bill . Christine.
41. News: Longshot Air Display Wins Volante (1986 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 18 October 1986) . . 19 October 1986 . 2 October 2020 . 65 . Bill . Christine.
42. News: Justoneoftheboys Survives a Foul Claim (1985 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 5 October 1985) . . 6 October 1985 . 2 October 2020 . 57 . Bill . Christine.
43. News: Tights wins Volante 'Cap (1984 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 7 October 1984) . . . 8 October 1984 . 2 October 2020 . 21 .
44. News: Wins by Mamaison Dims the Glow on Sunny's Halo (1983 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 16 October 1983) . . 17 October 1983 . 2 October 2020 . 29 . Pat . Cannon.
45. News: Lamerok and Laffit Pincay Win Oak Tree Feature Before 46,194 (1982 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 3 October 1982) . . 4 October 1982 . 2 October 2020 . 40 .
46. News: Santa Anita Has a Rare Dead Heat - Seafood catches Waterway Drive at the Wire in the Volante (1981 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 11 October 1981) . . 12 October 1981 . 2 October 2020 . 50 . Bion . Abbott.
47. News: A Big Surprise in 'Volante' - Pocketful in Vail Comes from Last for the Win (1980 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 19 October 1980) . . 20 October 1980 . 2 October 2020 . 44 . Bion . Abbott.
48. News: Shoe Wins Aboard Hyannis Port (1979 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 7 October 1979) . . 8 October 1979 . 2 October 2020 . 52 . Bion . Abbott.
49. News: Pincay and Longshot Win the Hard Way (1978 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 8 October 1978) . . 9 October 1978 . 2 October 2020 . 47 . Bion . Abbott.
50. News: Shoe Rides Kulak to Record Victory (1977 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 8 October 1977) . . 9 October 1977 . 2 October 2020 . 60 . Bion . Abbott.
51. News: Pincay Helps Hot Favorite Equal Stakes Record (1976 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 8 October 1976) . . 9 October 1976 . 2 October 2020 . 55 . Bion . Abbott.
52. News: Messenger Of Song Scores Upset (1975 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 5 October 1975) . . 6 October 1975 . 2 October 2020 . 42 . Bion . Abbott.
53. News: Messenger Of Song Scores Upset (1974 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 6 October 1974) . . 7 October 1974 . 2 October 2020 . 24 .
54. News: Bicker Wins Volante 'Cap Going Away (1972 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 7 October 1972) . . 8 October 1972 . 3 October 2020 . 58 . Bob . Hebert.
55. News: Mr Copy Chief triumphs; Vegas Vic wins Volante (1971 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 20 October 1971) . . . 21 October 1971 . 3 October 2020 . 48 .
56. News: Shoe 'in Form', Wins Stakes on McGuire (1970 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 21 October 1970) . . 22 October 1970 . 3 October 2020 . 60 . Bob . Hebert.
57. News: Shoe Scores With Tell, Rides 4 Winners (1969 Volante Handicap - race 8: held 18 October 1969) . . 19 October 1969 . 3 October 2020 . 62 . Bob . Hebert.
58. News: Clerks strike stalls Oak Tree opening . . 7 October 1973 . 3 October 2020 . 75 . Fred . Neil .