Following several days of careful consideration and worsening weather predictions, officials at Santa Anita have chosen to delay the start of the 2025-26 racing season from Friday to Sunday, December 28. This marks only the second time since 1976 that the track will not open immediately after Christmas; the last occurrence was in 2019, also due to heavy rain. Forecasts indicate that Santa Anita will receive over 8 inches of rain from Tuesday evening through Friday.
Santa Anita General Manager Nate Newby emphasized the importance of making this decision early to provide ample notice to everyone involved. He acknowledged that Opening Day is traditionally one of the biggest events of the year for the venue and that postponing the race was a tough but necessary choice after consulting with stakeholders to ensure the best start to the season.
Although no state rules ban racing on muddy or soft turf, safety regulations enacted after a tragic period in 2018-19—when 30 horses died during races or training at Santa Anita—frequently lead to race postponements or cancellations. Last year’s Opening Day drew a record crowd of 41,562 for a non-weekend or holiday start, with total betting handle exceeding $21.4 million, the third-highest ever for an opening day.
The 11 races originally planned for Friday will now be spread over two days, beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, with six stakes races scheduled, half of which are turf events. Officials hope the turf will have time to dry by Sunday to accommodate these races. Tickets for the original Opening Day remain valid for December 28, and full refunds are available on request. The adjusted schedule includes races on December 28 and 29, followed by daily racing from December 31 through January 4.
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Fan Take: This postponement highlights the ongoing challenge horse racing faces in balancing tradition with safety and weather unpredictability. For fans, it underscores the sport’s commitment to protecting both horses and people, which is crucial for maintaining trust and the sport’s long-term vitality.
