WHAT: Opening Week of Santa Anita’s 2013-2014 Winter Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014
WHERE: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
Opening Day: Santa Anita’s 77th winter/spring meet opens on Thursday, with special early first post time at 12 noon, admission gates open at 10 a.m. Two Grade I, $300,000 stakes will highlight the opening day festivities; the $300,000 Malibu and the $300,000 La Brea. Both races are to be run at seven furlongs, with the La Brea for 3-year-old fillies and the Malibu for 3-year-old colts and geldings. The Grade II, $200,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes, for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf, will also be offered.
Special Early First Post Time: First post time on Opening Day is 12 noon, with admission gates opening at 10 a.m.
Opening Day Wall Calendar Giveaway: All on-track attendees will receive a beautiful Santa Anita wall calendar, free with paid General Admission. This year’s calendar theme is “Flying Silks,” as some of racing’s most prominent owners will be honored by having their stable colors displayed month by month.
Friday, Dec. 27: Regular first post time is 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28: Santa Anita will again honor the late Eddie Logan, the track’s iconic “footman,” who manned his shoeshine stand from the track’s opening in 1934 until his passing in January, 2009, with the $75,000 Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds at one mile on turf. The Grade III, $100,000 Daytona Stakes and the $75,000 added Kalookan Queen Stakes will help to comprise and outstanding day of racing.
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013: The Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes, named in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer who is Santa Anita’s all-time leader by number of wins, will feature fillies and mares 3-and-up at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
End Zone Package: Available each weekend for just $20 through Big Game Sunday, Feb. 2. A great way to watch top college and professional football on 18 HD flatscreen monitors. A delicious buffet is served from 12 noon to 3 p.m., featuring pizza, pork sliders, salad and all-beef hot dogs. General Admission, a racing program, one complimentary cocktail and special beer prices that include $ Buds (12 oz.) and $14 pitchers are part of this extremely popular promotion. YOU MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER THE END ZONE.
Mornings at Clockers’ Corner: Santa Anita’s picturesque early morning hot spot is open daily at the top of the stretch and offers fans and horsemen a complete breakfast menu from 4:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. This magnificent venue is free of charge to attend and allows the public ready access to America’s top trainers and jockeys while providing a spectacular view of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
Free Seabiscuit Tram Tours: These popular tours take fans inside the Sport of Kings as they wind through Santa Anita’s storied stable area. Tours are offered weekend mornings and initiate at Clockers’ Corner at 7:30 a.m.
Farriers Package: This includes Club House admission (complete with box seating and racing program), a signature Craft Brew from Farriers (featuring the Los Angeles Golden Road Brewing Co.), and an entrée from one of Santa Anita’s brand new Club House Mezzanine eateries. The Farriers Package also includes a commemorative pint glass–yours for the taking!! Weekday packages are $40, weekends, $50. To purchase, please visit santaanita.com/events.
Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31: Santa Anita will be dark both of these days.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014: Live racing will resume at 12:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day–with beers, sodas and hot dogs offered for just one dollar. The $75,000 Blue Norther, for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf, will be the New Year’s Day feature.
