"After days of deliberation and faced with a forecast getting soggier by the day, Santa Anita officials have decided to postpone opening day of the 2025-26 race meeting from Friday until Sunday, Dec. 28. It's just the second time since 1976 that Santa Anita will not open on the day after Christmas. The other time was in 2019 for the same reason: wet weather. More than eight inches of rain are projected to fall between Tuesday night and Friday at Santa Anita."
""With the amount of rain being forecast, it's important to make this call as early as possible to give everyone advance notice," Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby said in a statement. "Everyone looks forward to opening day as it's traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, so it's not a decision we make lightly. But after speaking with our stakeholders, adjusting the racing schedule at this time provides the best opportunity to have a great opening to kick off the season.""
Santa Anita postponed its scheduled Dec. 26 opening to Dec. 28 due to an incoming storm expected to drop more than eight inches of rain between Tuesday night and Friday. The postponement is only the second time since 1976 the track will not open the day after Christmas, with 2019 the other instance for wet weather. Safety protocols added after the 2018-19 meeting, when 30 horses died, often lead to cancellations or postponements during adverse conditions. The 11 races planned for opening day were rescheduled to Sunday, with six stakes (three on turf) and first post at 11 a.m. Tickets will be honored or refunded on request.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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