The Santa Anita Park Classic Meet, delayed to Sunday, kicked off with the largest opening day attendance since 2016 and the biggest Sunday opener of the century. A total of 41,962 spectators gathered, marking only the eighth Sunday opening in the track’s over 90-year history and the largest Sunday opening crowd since 1999.
Typically held on December 26, the opening day was postponed by two days last week due to unfavorable weather forecasts. The venue experienced about six inches of rain between Tuesday night and Friday, but fans enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon with temperatures in the mid-60s. The last time the opening was delayed was in 2019, when 35,085 attendees were present as planned.
Nate Newby, senior vice president and general manager of Santa Anita Park, expressed gratitude to those who adapted to the rescheduling and recognized the efforts of all involved in making opening day a success. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the turf course to offer the best horse racing experience and highlighted how the large turnout energized the season’s start, reinforcing Santa Anita’s reputation as a premier racetrack.
The racing community worldwide supported the event with wagers, with the total mutual handle surpassing $18.2 million—marking the eighth time in nine years the first-day handle exceeded $18 million. Additionally, off-track betting grew by 2.55% compared to last year.
The races featured exciting performances, including Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nisos narrowly beating stablemate Nevada Beach in the Lafitte Pincay Junior Stakes. Hall of Famer Bob Baffert earned wins in both the G1 La Brea Stakes with Usha and the G1 Malibu Stakes, where his horses took first and second. Jockey Mike Smith, also a Hall of Famer, won the San Gabriel (G3) with Cabo Spirit, while Antonio Fres triumphed in the Matisse Smile (G2) aboard Hiding in Honduras.
Unfortunately, later in the day, jockey Fres sustained a left leg injury when his boot got caught between the horse and the rail, leading to his hospital visit. Kazushi Kimura stepped in to ride Fres’s horse in the final race, the G1 American Oaks, guiding Ambaya to victory and adding to trainer Jonathan Thomas’ stakes tally.
Santa Anita Park originally opened on Christmas Day in 1934, shortly after the California Horse Racing Board approved the racetrack’s construction with the promise it would be operational within that year. Since 1949, the opening day has mostly been December 26, with a few exceptions. The racing season typically runs through mid-June.
Fan Take: This strong turnout and competitive racing at Santa Anita signal a robust interest and investment in horse racing, crucial for the sport’s growth and sustainability. The impressive betting handles and high-quality performances promise an exciting season ahead, reinforcing Santa Anita’s status as a key venue for both fans and professionals in the horse racing world.
