The opening day of Santa Anita Park's Classic Meet, traditionally held Dec. 26, will be postponed for two days until Dec. 28 ahead of this week's declining weather forecast.
While it is difficult to predict weather forecasts with certainty more than 48 hours in advance, the current models have an atmospheric river set to dump significant rain on the Southern California area beginning the afternoon of Dec. 23 through late Dec. 26.
"With the amount of rain being forecast, it's important to make this call as early as possible to give everyone advance notice," said Santa Anita's general manager Nate Newby. "Everyone looks forward to Opening Day as it's traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, so it's not a decision we make lightly. But after speaking with our stakeholders, adjusting the racing schedule at this time provides the best opportunity to have a great opening to kick off the season."
Santa Anita's revised Opening Week schedule has live racing Dec. 28-29, returning Dec. 31 through Jan. 4.
Entries for Opening Day will continue to be drawn as scheduled today, Dec. 21, with entries for Dec. 27 being taken Dec. 22. The entry schedule for the rest of the week will be adjusted as well.
It will be the first time since the 2019-20 winter season that Santa Anita has not opened on Dec. 26. That year's Dec. 28 Opening Day brought out a crowd of more than 35,000 fans.
The opening day of Santa Anita Park's 89th Classic meet will be highlighted by six stakes races, including the Malibu Stakes (G1) and La Brea Stakes (G1). The delay until Sunday should allow the turf races, including the three graded stakes races, to remain on the turf course for Opening Day.
First post time Dec. 28 will be 11:00 a.m. PT. Tickets purchased for Opening Day will be honored Dec. 28, with full refunds available upon request.
