Horse Racing

Santa Anita Gets Wet

Rain, Rain, Go Away

This Saturday Santa Anita will host four Graded Stakes races including the Santa Anita Handicap, however, just like last weekend when heavy rain for the track to close, this weekend of racing looks to be a wet affair…again. A 70% chance of rain is forecast for Saturday and a 60% chance of showers for Sunday.

With its Pro-Ride synthetic track surface, Santa Anita has lost five days this meet since its December 26th start. Track officials battle drainage issues and even have contemplated switching the tracks surface back to its original dirt. While in its premier part of its meet, Santa Anita cannot weather any additional lost days due t rain. Last weekend’s closure moved the Grade III Sham Stakes for three year-olds to this Saturday. Horsemen initially wanted the Sham to be run this past Wednesday; track management re-scheduled it for Saturday. Now the Sham is in peril of being rained out again.

Four other stakes races are scheduled for this Saturday; the Santa Anita Handicap, The Santa Anita Oaks and the Frank Kilroe Mile Handicap, which is scheduled for the turf.