Santa Anita To Postpone Opening Day To Sunday, Dec. 28, Ahead Of Looming Rain Forecast

SANTA ANITA pushes Opening Day to Sun., Dec. 28 as a potent rain outlook approaches

Santa Anita Park Press

The planned start of Santa Anita’s Classic Meet has been shifted by roughly 48 hours. As the week’s outlook deteriorates, the opener now lands on Sunday, Dec. 28—e.g., avoiding a potentially waterlogged surface.

Forecast confidence beyond about 48 hours is inherently limited; nevertheless, current guidance portrays an atmospheric river, a potent storm system, poised to deliver widespread rainfall over Southern California. Bands beginning Tuesday afternoon and persisting into Friday night are expected, for example alternating light periods with heavier bursts.

“Given what’s being projected, making an early decision helps everyone prepare—for example, owners, riders, and fans,” explained Nate Newby, the General Manager at Santa Anita. “Opening Day is one of our marquee dates, so the choice wasn’t casual, and the fan experience matters,” he said. “After conversations with stakeholders, revising the program now seems the best route to launch the season on a high note.”

Under the revised Opening Week, live cards are slated for Sunday, Dec. 28 and Monday, Dec. 29, for example, back-to-back cards. The event schedule then resumes on Dec. 31 (NYE) and continues through Sunday, Jan. 4.

Opening Day entries are being taken as planned today, Dec. 21 (Sunday)—for example, trainers finalizing paperwork. For Dec. 27 (Monday), entries will be accepted on Dec. 22 (Monday), and the timetable for the rest of the week will also be adjusted.

This would mark the first departure from a Dec. 26 opener since the 2019–20 winter season at Santa Anita, for instance, a notable holiday tradition. On Dec. 28 that year, more than thirty-five thousand fans filled the stands.

The 89th Classic meet at Santa Anita Park will feature six stakes, including the Grade 1 Malibu plus La Brea Stakes—e.g., marquee sprints. By waiting until Sunday, turf events—among them three graded stakes—are expected to remain on the grass for Opening Day. Over the past decade, Santa Anita Park has been closely linked with high-caliber winter turf racing on its racecourse.

At 11:00 a.m., races will begin on Sunday, Dec. 28. Tickets purchased for Opening Day will be honored that date, and, for example, if plans change, full refunds are available upon request.