Katie Davis Wins Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita
Jockey Katie Davis piloted People Watching to victory in the Grade III stakes race held in Arcadia.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Equestrian
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Katie Davis became the first woman to win a stakes race at Santa Anita Park since 2022 by guiding People Watching to a victory in the Grade III Autumn Miss Stakes. The one-mile turf race saw Davis navigate her horse to the two path before surging past leaders on the second turn.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant milestone for female jockeys at the track while contributing to the competitive atmosphere of the current autumn meet. The performance of People Watching underscored a high-value result for bettors during a busy racing weekend at the Arcadia venue.
The winning horse, People Watching, returned $26.40 for a $2 win bet following the one-mile turf event. The day also featured a pick-six pool totaling $7,477.
The players
Katie Davis
She is a professional jockey who became the first woman to win a stakes race at Santa Anita since 2022.
Juan Hernandez
He is a professional jockey who currently leads the Santa Anita autumn standings with 19 total wins.
People Watching
This horse was the 12-1 underdog that secured the victory in the Autumn Miss Stakes.
The details
Davis maneuvered People Watching into the two path and transitioned outside on the second turn to successfully overtake the field. Ramayana finished in second place, followed by Brave Deb in third, while Somerset West and Green Carrera were scratched.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: Katie Davis won the Autumn Miss Stakes.
May 28, 2022: Jessica Pyfer won the Show Chief Stakes.
Season Trajectory
This win marks a notable breakthrough for female jockeys at Santa Anita, mirroring the precedent set by Jessica Pyfer's 2022 victory. The win adds a new narrative layer to the current autumn meet as competition intensifies among top-tier riders.
Bettors who backed the 12-1 longshot People Watching saw a significant $26.40 payout for a $2 wager. Meanwhile, Juan Hernandez strengthened his position atop the jockey standings to 19 wins after claiming victory in two other races.
The takeaway
Davis's victory highlights the competitive and unpredictable nature of turf racing at Santa Anita. Fans and bettors should continue monitoring jockey standings, as Hernandez remains a dominant force despite the weekend's upsets.
Further reading
For more on local racing developments, visit the Equestrian section.
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