Westwood Wins Gate-to-Wire in Grade II San Pasqual at Santa Anita

Westwood sprinted to the lead from the break and never surrendered it, powering home in 1:50.52 to win the Grade II San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita by 2 3/4 lengths. The 1 1/8-mile race for a $200,000 purse showcased a front-running performance that changed the look of the division and put connections and the colt’s sire on notice.

Ridden for the first time by Kazushi Kimura, Westwood set honest fractions of 24.24 and 48.42 while covering six furlongs in 1:12.32, then repelled a late charge from Getaway Car to hold second place by 2 3/4 lengths. Getaway Car finished well clear of third-place Bartholdy, which sources reported as being 7 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Midnight Mammoth, listed as a favorite in some accounts, wound up last among the five principal finishers reported.

Kimura, a 26-year-old native of Japan, explained the tactical choice that unfolded when Westwood broke sharply without blinkers for the first time in his career. “This race it seemed like everyone was possible to go the lead. It was going to depend on how he broke today, racing without the blinkers,” Kimura said. “He broke well without blinkers. I thought why not go to the lead. He was comfortable and got in a nice rhythm. At the three-eighths when I asked him to pick it up - he's a one-paced horse, so I was confident he would be able to keep going. I was already feeling pressure on the inside rail (from Getaway Car). I tried not to let him pass and keep moving.” The victory also pushed Kimura into the meet-leading ranks at the Santa Anita classic stand and marked another stakes score for the young rider.

Trainer John Shirreffs emphasized Westwood’s penchant for on-the-lead racing. “You ever hear or a horse that likes to pedal? He’s a good pedaler,” said John Shirreffs. “He likes a challenge. He likes to be asked and pushed along a little bit. Then when horses come to him he digs in. He’s not a horse that can drop back and make a big turn. He likes to be on the front-end and feel the pressure.”

Westwood, a 4-year-old by Authentic bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, collected his first career stakes victory and improved to a reported 2-3-3 in 10 starts with earnings of $313,900. Spendthrift noted that Westwood’s graded win gives Authentic the distinction of being the only Third-Crop sire with a graded stakes winner one month into 2026, and that Authentic stands this year for $15,000 S&N. Those sire implications strengthen Westwood’s value and raise the profile for breeders and buyers watching early-season stallion returns.

Ownership listings conflicted in postrace reports: multiple outlets identified C R K Stable LLC as the owner, while other reports quoted Lee and Susan Searing of Claremont and included Lee Searing’s comment that Westwood overcame a physical problem at age 2 to earn the victory. Pony Express, a potential pace contender who figured to alter tactics, was scratched by veterinarians before the race, changing the pace dynamics and likely aiding Westwood’s lone-lead strategy.

Looking ahead, connections mentioned the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap as a possible target, a step up that would test Westwood against deeper older stakes company and could further capitalize on Authentic’s early-season momentum. For handicappers and fans, Westwood’s gate-to-wire style, first-time blinkers removal, and proven stamina at 1 1/8 miles will be key factors to weigh as the spring stakes calendar approaches.