Heavy-rain forecast jeopardizes Santa Anita's Friday card

The forecast of significant rain in Southern California on Thursday and Friday has jeopardized Friday’s program at Santa Anita.

Late Sunday morning entries for Friday were postponed to Tuesday morning to allow officials additional time to assess expected conditions later in the week.

“We will probably make a decision Tuesday morning,” racing secretary Chris Merz said.

Merz said Santa Anita officials have been in contact with California Horse Racing Board executive director Scott Chaney and officials with the Thoroughbred Owners of California and California Thoroughbred Trainers about potential racing plans this week.

Santa Anita is scheduled to run Friday through Sunday next weekend. There are three graded stakes scheduled for Saturday’s program, including the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

Merz said Santa Anita is assessing the weather situation using the racing board’s inclement weather policy adopted in December and put into use at all race meetings in the state this year.

The policy states that in the event of significant rain, resulting in a sealed or floated main track, a track superintendent must certify in writing to the board that the surface is safe for racing and that a unanimous agreement has been reached with the track general manager, a representative of the Jockey’s Guild, the racing board’s safety stewards, and the board of stewards to proceed with racing.

Santa Anita cancelled two days of racing on Dec. 26-27, 2019 because of extensive rain, leading to the postponement of the opening day of that meeting to Dec. 28.