The Hundred Grander, the Big Cap – whatever else you might call it, the Santa Anita Handicap, to be run at the track of the same name tomorrow afternoon, is one of America’s historically fascinating races.

The race was first held in 1935, just a few months after the track opened in late 1934. As depicted in the Hollywood blockbuster Seabiscuit, the race instantly vaulted into a spot as one of the premier meeting places for top older horses because of the $100,000 purse, then a staggering amount.

Seabiscuit finished second by a nose to Rosemont in the 1937 Santa Anita Handicap, and lost in a photo again the following year while giving 30 pounds to winner Stagehand. In 1939, Seabiscuit suffered what was believed to be a career-ending injury while preparing for the marquee race; it was some small consolation to his connections – owner Charles Howard and trainer Tom Smith - when they won anyway with stablemate Kayak II. But, improbably, Seabiscuit and Red Pollard – his regular rider who had also been badly injured in a workout accident - fought their way back to the sport to finally win the Santa Anita Handicap in 1940, in what would be Seabiscuit’s final start.

The list of the race’s winners through the middle of the century is peppered with the names of prominent handicap horses – Round Table in 1958, Hill Rise in 1965, Ack Ack in 1971, Cougar II in 1973.

Off his Triple Crown sweep and epic battles with Alydar, Affirmed went to post in the Santa Anita Handicap in early 1979 against another future Hall of Famer, Exceller. The 4-year-old ran his older rival off his feet, winning in a stakes-record 1:58.60 that still stands. The following year, another of racing’s greats, Spectacular Bid, dominated the Big Cap. He went on to complete an undefeated season.

The ageless John Henry became one of just three back-to-back winners of the event when he won it in 1981 and ’82. Alysheba claimed the race in 1988 to launch a campaign that would end with the Breeders’ Cup Classic victory and Horse of the Year title that had eluded him the year before.

In recent history, the Santa Anita Handicap has been a showcase for some of California’s favorite runners. The statebred standout Best Pal – who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year – won the race in 1992. The brilliant gray Free House took the 1999 edition in a blanket finish, in what would be his final showdown with archrival Silver Charm. Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow won the Big Cap in 2001, but then hit a slump mid-season; he rallied to take a second Classic “for America” in the fall – making him the only two-time winner of America’s richest race.

Lava Man, the “King of California,” won the Santa Anita Handicap in 2006 and ‘07. Although woeful outside of his home state, he is the only horse to win all three of California’s premier events for older horses in one season – the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic. He’s one of just three horses to win two editions of the Big Cap; the only horse to win two Santa Anita Handicaps and two Hollywood Gold Cups; and one of just two horses to win three editions of the Gold Cup.

Misremembered gave California favorite Bob Baffert, a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee, his first victory in the Santa Anita Handicap last year. Baffert holds a strong hand in this year’s edition of the race, sending out four runners, including the well-regarded First Dude. Still looking for just his second career victory, the 4-year-old son of Stephen Got Even nevertheless has an impressive resume, as he finished second in the Preakness, Haskell and Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Belmont, Travers and Blue Grass last season. The strapping colt, who was previously trained by Dale Romans, will be making his first start for Baffert; he’s reportedly thrived since arriving in California last month. The trainer also sends out Game On Dude, Tweebster and Spurrier.

However, all eyes will be on heavy favorite Twirling Candy, who has just one loss in seven lifetime starts. The colt broke Spectacular Bid’s seven furlong track record in winning the Malibu Stakes in December, then dominated the Strub Stakes last month. Already making history on his own, he’s looking to add to the Big Cap’s rich legend today.