Atitlan won the $101,500 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park after making a strong move in the final turn to surge past his competitors and secure a clear victory. Trained by John Shirreffs and owned by John M. B. O’Connor, Atitlan added a second graded stakes win to his record, with his first coming in the Twilight Derby (G2T) in October.

The 4-year-old son of The Factor completed the 1 1/2-mile turf race in 2:24.73, with jockey Hector Berrios delivering a smart ride. Atitlan was bred in Kentucky by Anastasie Astrid Christiansen-Croy and is out of the German-bred mare Armanda, who is a daughter of leading German sire Acatenango.

Atitlan’s victory in the San Luis Rey Stakes was followed by Divin Propos, Gold Phoenix, and Easter, all trained by Phil D’Amato. The win marked a significant achievement for Atitlan, who had been looking for his first graded or group stakes win before this race.