ARCADIA — In case his previous four wins this year weren’t persuasive enough, Johannes strengthened his case for the North American male turf championship by winning the San Gabriel Stakes on opening day at Santa Anita on Thursday.

“In my heart, he is a true champion,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “I hope others view it that way.”

Four-year-old Johannes, owned by Joe and Debby McCloskey of Solana Beach, paid $2.60 after teaming with jockey Umberto Rispoli to beat Mi Hermano Ramon by three-quarters of a length and Seal Team by 1 1/2 in the 1 1/8-mile San Gabriel.

That kept Johannes unbeaten in seven starts on the Santa Anita turf (he’s 1 for 6 elsewhere), and was his fourth win at Grade II or Grade I.

His one blemish this year was a second-place finish, three-quarters of a length behind More Than Looks, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

The Eclipse Awards for division champions are voted by racing journalists and executives. More Than Looks’ Breeders’ Cup Mile win makes him a contender, as does Rebel’s Romance’s Breeders’ Cup Turf win. But some horses have deeper resumes in North America, including Carl Spackler, Far Bridge and Johannes.

GRADE I GLORY

There were two Grade I stakes on opening day in addition to the Malibu Stakes won by Raging Torrent.

• Trainer Richard Mandella had to scratch Tamara from the $300,000, Grade I La Brea Stakes after the 3-year-old filly showed a 102-degree temperature Thursday morning, but he wound up winning the race with long shot Kopion ($77.40) and jockey Kazushi Kimura.

• No victory was more impressive than the one by She Feels Pretty ($3.20), who had trouble early in the $300,000, Grade I American Oaks on grass but pulled away to a 2 1/2-length win with jockey John Velazquez.