Santa Anita Park has called off live racing for today, Sunday, January 4th, due to the last wave of severe storms moving out of Southern California. Since atmospheric rivers began affecting the West Coast on December 23, more than 10 inches of rain have fallen on the railroad tracks in Arcadia, California.
Santa Anita Park General Manager Nate Newby stated that the weather is expected to improve considerably by Monday, with no rain forecasted for the next ten days. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from stakeholders during the challenging two-week period, emphasizing that horse safety remains the top priority. Despite the setbacks, the park has gained strong momentum in recent days and looks forward to resuming normal operations.
Racing at Santa Anita will resume on Thursday, marking the first of two makeup days scheduled following cancellations due to the rain. The first race will start at noon, featuring two turf stakes races. Additionally, the track has added another race day on Thursday, January 15th.
Fan Take: For horse racing enthusiasts, this pause in racing highlights the sport’s commitment to safety above all else, ensuring horses compete under optimal conditions. The resumption and added race days signal a strong recovery and promise exciting racing opportunities ahead, keeping fans engaged and hopeful for a thrilling season.
