Sioux Arrival cut back drastically in trip and still got the job done, taking the Grade III San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita on March 14, 2026 in 1:11.84 for High Voltage with U. Rispoli aboard. Sent away at 3-1, the gray gelding showed sharp speed from the outset, controlled the race through every call, and held firm late to add another graded score to an already accomplished turf record. It was a notable performance from a horse whose recent profile had been built in much longer turf races.

The San Simeon Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong turf stake for 4-year-olds and upward worth $100.000, brought together a compact but competitive field of nine on a firm Santa Anita course. The tempo was lively from the start, with fractions of :21.3, :43.2, and 1:06.0, and that fast rhythm made positioning and timing important throughout. In the end, Sioux Arrival proved he could translate route-class into sprint execution, turning back a strong late bid from Bayldonite and keeping the more established local turf sprinters at bay.

From the opening call, Sioux Arrival was intent on the lead and showed the way, with Wild Wolf just behind him and Last Way To The Beac also prominently placed. Our Holiday was close enough in the first wave, while Street Sounds and Clout settled just behind that group. Luttrell was in the second half of the field early, and Bayldonite as well as Inoue were unhurried in the opening stages.

At the second call, Sioux Arrival still had command and had opened up slightly on the field. Wild Wolf remained closest in pursuit, while Last Way To The Beac continued to track in a favorable spot. Our Holiday was still in touch, though no longer gaining, and Clout had moved a bit more prominently than Street Sounds at that stage. Luttrell remained midpack, while Bayldonite began to inch forward from farther back. Inoue was still waiting to make his stronger move.

By the third call in 1:06.0, Sioux Arrival continued to dictate terms. Last Way To The Beac had advanced into second and was the nearest pursuer at that point, while Bayldonite had launched a significant rally and moved into serious contention. Clout was still there within range, and Inoue was improving into the top half of the field. Luttrell was also making progress, while Wild Wolf had lost his early punch after chasing the leader through the opening fractions. Street Sounds and Our Holiday were both under pressure by then and had not advanced with the principal challengers.

In the final furlong, Sioux Arrival had enough left to finish what he started. Bayldonite kept coming and reduced the margin late, but the winner had done enough early and stayed on to preserve the decision. Last Way To The Beac continued evenly for third after being involved throughout the race. Inoue finished fourth after improving from well back, while Luttrell and Clout followed. The rest were unable to rejoin the main battle late, with Street Sounds, Our Holiday, and Wild Wolf all fading from earlier positions.

The winner is a gray gelding by Sioux out of Secretive(3), bred by El Primero Rodeo (Fla), and owned and trained by High Voltage. With this result, Sioux Arrival lifted his lifetime earnings to $2,311.580 while recording his eighth career victory.

Individual Trip Notes

Sioux Arrival broke running, took control immediately, led through every call, and held on gamely through the final furlong to win the San Simeon.

Bayldonite settled in the back half of the compact field early, improved his position through the second call, surged into the main fight by the third call, and finished strongly to be second.

Last Way To The Beac was prominent from the beginning, stayed close through each stage, moved into the immediate chase behind the winner late, and held third.

Inoue was farther back early, began to improve during the latter half of the race, and finished on well enough to claim fourth.

Luttrell raced in midpack through much of the running, advanced some in the second half, and stayed on evenly for fifth.

Clout sat just behind the first wave in the opening stages, remained within range into the stretch, and then gave way late to finish sixth.

Street Sounds was not far off the leaders early, but he lost position as the pace continued and could not re-rally late.

Our Holiday tracked the pace in the opening half of the race but came under pressure before the stretch and weakened to eighth.

Wild Wolf chased Sioux Arrival from the outset and was still close through the second call, but he could not sustain that effort and faded in the lane.

Track: Firm
Time: :21³  :43²  1:06  1:11⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 7 – 6 Paid 20.40
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 6 – 4 Paid 348.40

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES