Santa Anita – Photo courtesy of Santa Anita Press Release
With a forecast of heavy rains, Santa Anita Park postponed racing on Saturday and said the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the San Felipe (G2) and two other graded stakes will be run on Sunday.
The decision came Thursday morning, adding that Sunday’s card would be moved to Monday, a usual off day.
Heavy Rains in California Causes Santa Anita to postpone the stakes-filled Saturday race card.
Sunday’s forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s.
Postponing for a day was determined after discussions with Dennis and Robert Moore, who oversee Santa Anita track maintenance, officials from the CHRB, TOC, CTT and Jockeys’ Guild.
In addition to the Santa Anita Handicap and the San Felipe – a Kentucky Derby (G1) points qualifier – the other stakes to be run are the Kilroe Mile (G1) on turf and the Buena Vista (G2) on turf.
“Obviously, we would love to run the Big Cap card on a sunny day,” Santa Anita’s VP and GM Nate Newby said before the official announcement was made. “It’s going to be a better product for our players and owners.”
Entries for the Big ‘Cap, the San Felipe and the other races on the card will be release later Thursday (Feb. 29).