Another successful Breeders’ Cup World Championship under the belt, now Santa Anita Park is getting prepped to open up its gates for another season of racing.
Giving us a slightly belated present for the holiday season, racing starts on 26th December. Even for those that can't make it to the track to experience the craft beer and cider festival it's a not-to-be-missed occasion, as once again a host of elite jockeys, trainers and horses converge on this part of California to compete across a range of high quality races, which have purses to match!
The Santa Anita Season continues from Boxing Day until 18th June 2024 with racing taking place from Thursday to Sunday each week. Things open strongly with three Grade 1 races - the RunHappy Malibu Stakes, LaBrea Stakes and American Oaks.
The New Year meeting (30th, 31st December and 1st January) is expected to be well-attended, with a card filled with stakes races to broadcast.
However, on the opening day the highlight for many will be waiting to see if Frankie Dettori takes to the saddle for his first race again as a newly U.S. based jockey.
On 26th December, first post will be 11am PT / 2.00pm ET / 7.00pm GMT / 8.00pm CET, and there will be nine races.
After the opening fixtures, expect racedays to comprise 10 races, with first post one hour later than above noon PT / 3.00pm ET / 8.00pm GMT / 9.00pm CET
Looking forward through season highlights, the $500,000 Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap will be run on 4th March and $750,000 Grade I Santa Anita Derby, which has produced 19 Kentucky Derby winners and was won last spring by Taiba, is scheduled for 8th April.
