The purse is $750,000, the distance is a mile and a quarter, and the reward for winning the Santa Anita Handicap is going down as one of the top horses ever.

The dominant player in the early years of the race and arguably all time, was the great Seabiscuit. He lost photo finishes in 1937 and 1938 and got beat in that '38 run by a horse carrying 30 pounds less.

In a true test to his grit, he sat out the '39 season with what was thought to be a career ending injury, yet rebounded to win the Big 'Cap to open the 40s decade in his final career start.

Since, other legends have carried the torch. On the human side Willie Shoemaker and Charlie Whittingham won the race 19 times combined.

Triple Crown winner Affirmed posted the fastest every\ time of 1:58 3/5 and three won the race twice, John Henry, Milwaukee Brew and Lava Man.

Last year, the smart guys were all over Einstein, who parlayed a third in the Donn Handicap to post a 103 winning Beyer in the Big 'Cap beating a dozen with a perfect 3-hole trip.

At the time of writing, 17 were in prospect but only 14 will go. Lets look at all 17.

Loup Breton will be trying to transfer his form from turf but he has the quality as a recent winner of the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes.

Marsh Side may have been zapped by that trip to Japan to end 2009 but he has been second at this distance.

Neko Bay has never went a mile and a quarter and just won his first Graded race in the January debut while Palladio finished like a freight train in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic and now has an important race over the Pro Ride surface.

Jeranimo flattered Palladio after running third in the aforementioned Classic to win the Grade 2 Strub at a shocking 11-1. Misremembered is a player, has been in the exacta in 8 of 10 lifetime and will be out to atone for chalk flop in the Strub. Delightful Kiss could be for lovers only as he has been dull of late and could be short on class.

Dakota Phone showed a new wrinkle in his last race settling, then coming late and that versatility could help him this weekend. Eagle Poise basically ran around the track in the Strub but was flattered when the winner of his Woodbine finale took the Grade 2 McKnight next out at Calder. Pick Six will be a longshot. He ran well when beaten less than a length in the G2 San Antonio but his lone score of 2009 came in a $75,000 optional in New York.

Pool Play was on turf last time, the wrong distance, but is speed challenged while Tiger's Rock can run till the cows come home but has been beating up on much softer. St. Trinians will try to become the first female to win this race in the history of the fixture. She has been improving hourly and one thing I've learned over the years is never to under estimate trainer Mike Mitchell. Mast Track has one way to go and that's roll to the front and try to lull the rest to sleep. Massone has lacked the killer instinct his entire career and will be a price while the jury is still out on High Court Drama, a consistent handy horse that has only one minor win in the stakes on his resume.

South Carolina fans will be routing for Spurrier but he regressed last time in just a $40,000 stakes while Acclamation has been Graded placed in his career but is still eligible for a non-winners of two event.

As the race unfolds look for Acclamation, High Court Drama, Mast Track and Misremembered in the first flight vying for the top. When the race unfolds at the top of the lane Massone, St. Trinians, Loup Breton and High Court Drama while closing the gap rapidly. When the smoke clears, expect to see the smiling Julio Canani standing aside his second Big 'Cap winner, Loup Breton.