John Cherwa

DEL MAR, Calif. — Bob Baffert's return to eligibility for the Kentucky Derby couldn't have started any better when he won the $2 million Breeders' Cup

John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times

Sierra Leone finally becomes a winner, charging ahead of Fierceness to win the Breeders' Cup Classic on a day marred by the death of a horse in another race.

Sierra Leone's reputation was as a talented horse that never seemed to win. In his last four races he finished second twice and third twice.

The grand experiment to revive horse racing in Northern California is coming to an end.

Santa Anita Park is opening its 90th season Thursday filled with the kind of cautious optimism that is common in most sports.

Mystik Dan had to make a 1,900-mile van ride to Santa Anita to run in the Malibu Stakes. He's the first Derby winner to race at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old since 1997.

Santa Anita Park is opening its 90th season Thursday filled with the kind of cautious optimism that is common in most sports.

Raging Torrent, a winner in four of seven races this year, won the Malibu Stakes on the first day of racing at Santa Anita. Mystik Dan finished last.

Raging Torrent, a winner in four of seven races this year, won the Malibu Stakes on the first day of racing at Santa Anita. Mystik Dan finished last.