Santa Anita’s Star-Studded Opening Day Set for Sunday Spectacle!
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The turnstiles will spin on Sunday as opening day for Santa Anita’s highly anticipated Classic Meet will greet fans who traditionally have lined up to be first to the windows the day after Christmas. Opening day was postponed to Sunday, December 28, 2025, due to heavy rains from a powerful atmospheric river storm that impacted Southern California throughout Christmas week. Track officials made the early decision to shift the card by two days to prioritize horse and rider safety, allowing time for the grounds to recover while preserving the integrity of the turf course for several scheduled grass races.
The storm brought significant rainfall across the region, with some areas receiving over 8-10 inches between Tuesday and Friday, leading to flash flooding, mudslides, and record daily precipitation in locations like Los Angeles International Airport and Burbank. This marked the second time in seven years that opening day was delayed for weather reasons (the previous occurrence was in 2019). Tickets originally purchased for December 26 will be honored on the 28th, with refunds available for those unable to attend.
Sunshine and Dry Weather Forecast for Opening Day
After days of intense rain, conditions are expected to improve significantly by Sunday. Forecasts indicate a shift to sunshine and dry weather returning to Southern California over the weekend, providing ideal racing conditions at the Arcadia track. The delay was strategically chosen to ensure turf races can remain on the grass, avoiding potential off-turf designations that often occur with saturated courses.
Track Conditions
With the storm moving out by late Friday or early Saturday, the main dirt track and turf course at Santa Anita are anticipated to be in good shape for opening day. Officials expressed optimism that the extra time will allow proper drying, minimizing risks associated with softer or muddy surfaces—concerns heightened since safety protocols were strengthened following past incidents.
Major Stakes Races On Tap
The rescheduled 11-race card remains packed with high-quality action, featuring six graded stakes and three Grade 1 events:
- Race 10, Grade 1 Malibu Stakes (3-year-olds, 7 furlongs, $300,000 purse) – Highlight for sophomore males.
- Race 8, Grade 1 La Brea Stakes (3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs, $300,000 purse).
- Race 11, Grade 1 American Oaks (3-year-old fillies, 1 1/4 miles on turf, $300,000 purse).
- Additional graded events include Race 6, the Grade 2 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes, where Grade 1 winners and stablemates Nysos and Nevada Beach (both trained by Bob Baffert) are expected to clash. The G2 Mathis Mile will go as Race 5, and the G3 San Gabriel Stakes is carded as Race 9 on the opening day featured events.
The program promises large fields, strong wagering opportunities, and standout performances from top trainers like Bob Baffert, who has multiple entries across the stakes.
Early Scratches and Entries Update
As of the latest available information (entries drawn prior to the delay), the card features full fields with no widespread early scratches reported due to the postponement. Specific vet scratches or changes will be updated closer to post time via official channels like Equibase and the Santa Anita racing office. Fans should monitor for any late adjustments, particularly to turf races if lingering moisture affects classifications.
Opening day at Santa Anita remains one of the premier events on the North American racing calendar, drawing large crowds and significant handle. With clearer skies on the horizon, the rescheduled December 28 card is poised to deliver an exciting kickoff to the 2025-26 winter-spring meet. First post is set for 11:00 a.m. PT.
