Santa Anita Park will kick off a new season of Thoroughbred racing Dec. 26 with opening day of the traditional Classic Meet.
From the start of the 48-day Classic Meet until the close of the Hollywood Meet June 14, Santa Anita will host 81 stakes over 78 race days which include the newly named D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2) Feb. 7, historic Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 7 and the prestigious Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 4.
The Santa Anita Park Classic Meet and Hollywood Meet will offer $11.75 million in stakes purses, with overnight race purses slated to increase from the start of last year.
"The overall 5% purse increase for Santa Anita Park's Classic Meet continues the positive trend from last season," said Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby. "The increases are highlighted by the rise in maiden special weight races to $70,000. Building on the strength of the 2025 Southern California racing program, we've been able to add back two stakes races that were not offered last season. These are positive steps for the state as California remains the only major racing jurisdiction where purses are not subsidized by other forms of gaming."
Opening day of the Classic Meet Dec. 26 will feature six graded stakes led by the Malibu Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds and La Brea Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies. Both are contested at 7 furlongs on the main track. Also on the program is the American Oaks (G1T) at 1 1/4 miles on turf, Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-olds on turf and San Gabriel Stakes (G3T) at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The Santa Anita Handicap (G1) program March 7 also includes the San Felipe Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) on turf, and the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1).
The San Felipe is part of Santa Anita's strong 3-year-old program for Triple Crown hopefuls. The series begins Jan. 10 with the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at 7 furlongs. It continues with the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at 1 mile Feb. 7, the San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles on Big 'Cap day, and concludes with the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 4.
This past season, star 3-year-old Journalism went on to Triple Crown success after winning both the Santa Anita Derby and San Felipe for trainer Michael McCarthy. During the Triple Crown series, Journalism took the Preakness Stakes (G1) and finished second in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1).
"The Santa Anita 3-year-old series has been a proving ground for the Triple Crown races since Hill Gail won our Derby in 1952," said Santa Anita director of racing Jason Egan. "Earlier this year, Journalism became the 19th Santa Anita Derby winner to go on to win a Triple Crown race. Both he and (Santa Anita Derby runner-up) Baeza performed impressively throughout the series."
The Santa Anita Derby program April 4 will also include the Santa Anita Oaks (G2), Monrovia Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course, and both the Echo Eddie and Evening Jewel stakes for horses who were bred or sired in California.
As California-breds are a vital component to Santa Anita's racing program, a total of 14 stakes exclusively for state-breds are on the schedule. California Cup Day is Jan. 17 featuring five stakes led by the California Chrome California Cup Derby and Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks. Then May 23, California Gold Rush Day, five more stakes for state-breds will be contested. Leading the quintet are the Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf and Melair Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
The Classic Meet ends April 5. Following a one-week break, Santa Anita will resume live racing with the start of the 30-day Hollywood Meet April 17. Highlighting the Hollywood Meet is a Memorial Day program May 25 that includes the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T), Gamely Stakes (G1T), and Hollywood Gold Cup (G2).
Set to close the curtain on the Hollywood Meet June 14, is the traditional closing day feature, the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T). This will be the 87th running of the about 1 3/4-mile turf test for 3-year-olds and up.
Santa Anita's complete 2025-26 Classic Meet and Hollywood Meet Stakes Schedule is available at santaanita.com. In addition to the track's website, fans can get additional information by calling (626) 574-RACE.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
