Santa Anita expands California-bred benefits
?q=100)
The already favorable eligibility terms for California-breds in allowance races will be expanded, beginning at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting on Dec. 26.
Earlier this month, the track, along with horsemen’s organizations, announced an expansion of allowance race options for statebreds on a 12-month trial basis.
Currently, California-breds that win a first-level allowance race for statebreds on dirt or turf, can switch surfaces and race in a first-level allowance race for statebreds until they win on the second surface.
Under the new policy, horses will be eligible to start in an allowance race for statebreds on the same surface as a previous win provided the second allowance race is run at a significantly different distance.
Allowance race winners who win races at distances up to seven furlongs can start in allowance races on the same surface at a mile or more. Allowance race winners at a distance of a mile or more will be eligible to start in allowance races on the same surface in sprints up to seven furlongs.
Horses will remain limited to two wins at the first-level allowance race condition.
The policy is designed to enhance opportunity for statebreds, and was developed by the three remaining tracks in the state – Del Mar, Los Alamitos and Santa Anita, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Thoroughbred Owners of California, according to a statement.
For owners and trainers, the first opportunities to utilize the new policy could occur early in the Santa Anita meeting. The track has scheduled five first-level allowance races in the first two weeks of the meeting – for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt on Dec. 26, at a mile on dirt on Dec. 27, at six furlongs on turf on Jan. 1, for fillies and mares at a mile on turf on Jan. 2, and for fillies and mares at six furlongs on turf on Jan. 4.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.