From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 13, 2023)—Widely considered America’s most picturesque racing venue dating back to Christmas Day, 1934, Santa Anita Park will play host to its Classic Meet opening day on Tuesday, Dec. 26, as Santa Anita’s traditional wall calendar giveaway again complements a stocking-full of world class racing, highlighted by six graded stakes—three of which are Grade I events.
With first post time set for 11 a.m., some of the nation’s top jockeys, Juan Hernandez, Flavien Prat, Frankie Dettori, Joel Rosario, Antonio Fresu, Umberto Rispoli and others, will compete in tandem with top trainers such as Bob Baffert, Phil D’Amato, Doug O’Neill, Mark Glatt, John Sadler, Richard Mandella, Peter Miller and others as Santa Anita offers three Grade I, $300,000 stakes, the Malibu for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, the La Brea for 3-year-old fillies at the same distance and the American Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and one quarter on turf.
Three Grade II, $200,000 stakes, the Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on turf, the San Antonio for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and one sixteenth and the San Gabriel, for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and one eighth on turf, are likely to attract large fields and good betting value.
A fan’s favorite for decades, Santa Anita’s 2024 Wall Calendar will honor an assortment of past stakes winners as well as several top jockeys.
With a return to a traditional $1 Pick Six, replete with a 70/30 split, as 70 percent of each day’s net pool will go to any ticket with six winners and the remaining 30 percent will be paid out to consolation tickets with five winners. In the event there are no tickets with six winners, 70 percent of the net pool is carried over to the next racing day.
A great supporter of racing, Mathis Home is an opening day presenting sponsor and they’ll be raising money for Thoroughbred Aftercare benefitting CARMA. Their fundraising efforts include a Plush Toy Racehorse with any donation to CARMA of $10 or more.
Fans can enter for a chance to win a $5,000 Mathis Home giveaway and Mathis will also sponsor a Silent Auction on opening day, with prizes like a day in Doug O’Neill’s private suite, a framed/signed Jockey Colony print, a Behind the Scene’s Breakfast, Coffee with Frankie Dettori and a $1,000 Mathis Home Gift Card.
Fans are advised donations may be made via totalizator wagering machines, which will be matched by Mathis Home.
Following opening day on Dec. 26, Santa Anita will reopen for live racing on Friday, Dec. 29, with racing continuing each day through Monday, Jan. 1. Thereafter, Santa Anita will operate for the most part on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday racing schedule. Parking and admission are free of charge on all Fridays and fans 21 and over can enjoy $3 beers and $5 margaritas.
Santa Anita Park, which opened on Dec. 25, 1934, will be conducting its 89th anniversary season.
–Grandstand Seating is available to anyone with their $10 paid admission on a first come, first served basis.
–FREE Santa Anita Wall Calendar with paid admission and Mathis Home is offering fans a Plush Toy Horse with a $10 donation to CARMA.
–Opening Day Craft Beer & Cider Festival Trackside will include local craft beers, food trucks and world class racing from the Grandstand apron.
–Special dining and seating packages are available at santaanita.com/events. Additional information is also available by calling (626) 574-RACE.
–Although the Box Seat Area is sold out on opening day, box seats are available on all other days for $20.
–Kids 17 and under admitted free with paying adult.
–Santa Anita’s Infield Area will be open on Dec. 26, 30, 31 and on Jan. 1. Admission is $5, which includes parking and program.
–Grandstand Admission & Parking are free of charge on all Fridays. Fans 21 and over can enjoy $3 beers and $5 margaritas.
For complete dining and seating information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.