ARCADIA, Calif. – A severe rainstorm forecast to begin Tuesday in Southern California is already wreaking havoc on Santa Anita tradition. Track officials announced on Sunday that opening day of the winter meet, traditionally scheduled for Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, has been postponed two days due to weather that could deliver as much as eight inches of rain. Santa Anita will wait out the storm. The revised date for opening day is Sunday, Dec. 28. The postponement also affects subsequent Santa Anita programs. The card initially scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 27 has been moved to Monday, Dec. 29. The card initially scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 28 has been moved to Wednesday, Dec. 31. “It looks like there is rain all day (Dec. 26), and early hours (Dec. 27),” racing secretary Jason Egan said Sunday after reviewing the latest forecast. The opening-day card includes three graded stakes on turf, which influenced the decision to postpone. “I want to give us as much chance as we can to stay on the turf,” Egan said. “Unless the forecast is wrong and the rain stops earlier, I don’t see how you could be on the turf (Dec. 27).” During periods of inclement weather, the Santa Anita turf course typically requires one full day without precipitation before it can be used. The forecast, as of Sunday morning, calls for the storm to arrive Dec. 23. The heaviest rainfall is expected Dec. 24 and 25. Rain could continue through Dec. 26. The postponement is the second Dec. 26 opening-day postponement in recent years. The 2019-20 opener was postponed two days because of rain. The 2021-22 meet began as scheduled Dec. 26, but rain rendered the turf course unusable and three graded turf stakes were moved to the main track, including the Grade 1 American Oaks. Referring to this year’s opening-day turf races, Egan said “I don’t see how you could keep the card intact if you run before (Dec. 28).” Santa Anita officials hope the rain will taper enough to allow the turf course to be used for three graded turf stakes scheduled for the revised opening day on Dec. 28 – the American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds, and Grade 3 San Gabriel for older horses. The opening-day card also includes three prominent dirt stakes, including two seven-furlong Grade 1 races for 3-year-olds – the Malibu, and the La Brea for fillies. The Grade 2 Laffit Pincay. Jr. Stakes for older route horses also is scheduled for opening day. From a business perspective, the opening day postponement from Friday to Sunday is especially troublesome. Friday openers, followed by weekend racing Saturday and Sunday, are favorable for attendance and handle. The 2024-25 winter meet began on Thursday, Dec. 26, and attracted an on-track crowd of 41,562. The last time the meet began on a Sunday was 2021, when opening day on-track attendance was 20,537. In a prepared statement, Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby said: “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.” The draw for the Dec. 28 opening-day card was to take place Sunday. The draw for the second day of the meet, now scheduled for Dec. 29, is to take place Monday. The entry schedule for the five-day racing week Dec. 31 through Jan. 4 also will be adjusted. Prominent horses expected to race opening day include Cornucopian and Barnes in the Malibu, a race in which trainer Bob Baffert could have as many as five runners. Formula Rossa and Usha are likely to start in the La Brea; Nevada Beach and Nysos both are targeting the Pincay. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.