The 2025-26 Classic at Santa Anita Park, initially delayed from Friday due to recent storms, is set to kick off this Sunday in Arcadia, California, with an exciting 11-race lineup starting at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. Among these races, six are graded, including three Grade 1 events: the La Brea, Malibu, and American Oaks. This opening day marks the beginning of 48 days filled with premier thoroughbred racing at the Great Racecourse, running through April 5th.
To compensate for the delayed start, Santa Anita has scheduled two additional race days this Monday and New Year’s Eve Wednesday, both beginning at noon. Fans attending these days will enjoy free parking and admission, complemented by an “All Day Happy Hour” offering 50% off selected beers, wines, and cocktails. The originally planned race cards will resume next week, with races taking place daily until January 4th. To ring in 2026, Santa Anita will offer $2 beers, hot dogs, and sodas on New Year’s Day.
Following the revised schedule, Santa Anita will return to its usual Friday through Sunday racing format for the remainder of the meet, with extra holiday races on January 19th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and February 16th (Presidents Day). Highlighted events include the historic Santa Anita Handicap on March 7th and the Santa Anita Derby on April 4th. Notably, last year’s Santa Anita Derby winner, Journalism, went on to win the Preakness Stakes and place 19th in the Triple Crown race.
The stakes schedule also features the D. Wayne Lucas Stakes, honoring the legendary trainer who passed away in June at 89. Formerly the Santa Monica Stakes, it takes place on February 7th alongside the Robert B. Lewis Stakes—an essential prep race for 3-year-olds targeting the Santa Anita Derby.
Santa Anita continues to attract the nation’s top jockeys and trainers. Jockey Juan Hernandez strives for a fifth consecutive Classic Meet riding title and his 10th overall at Santa Anita. Hernandez, a 33-year-old from Veracruz, Mexico, boasts 2,936 wins and over $105.9 million in U.S. earnings. His main competitors include Humberto Rispoli, Antonio Fres, Hector Berrios, and Kazushi Kimura. Fres, 34, clinched his first Santa Anita riding title during the Hollywood Meet, while Rispoli secured his first U.S. equestrian title at Del Mar’s Autumn Meet. Emisael Jaramillo, a new addition from South Florida and a seasoned Gulfstream Park rider, also joins this year’s jockey lineup with 1,882 wins and $60.9 million in earnings.
Among trainers, the event features Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and Richard Mandella, along with eight-time Santa Anita top trainer Phil D’Amato, John Sadler, Doug O’Neill, and Michael McCarthy. Glatt, last season’s leading trainer with 31 wins, secured his first Classic Meet title at Santa Anita and his second overall.
For ticket details and further information about the 2025-26 Santa Anita Classic Meet, visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on December 25, 2025.
Fan Take: This announcement signals an exciting start to the year for thoroughbred racing fans, showcasing top-tier talent across jockeys and trainers alike. With iconic races and competitive fields, the Santa Anita Classic promises to energize the sport and attract fresh attention to horse racing’s rich traditions and future potential.
