Santa Anita postpones Friday's card after rain delays training

With training suspended since Sunday due to historic rainfall from a series of storms, Santa Anita Park, in consultation with its horsemen, postponed Friday’s nine-race card to give time for horses to return to a normal routine before this weekend’s races.

The Friday races will be offered next Thursday. In accordance with California Horse Racing Board rules, they will be re-drawn when entries are taken Saturday.

“With training suspended for the last four days, per the CHRB protocols only joggers will be allowed on Thursday and we return to regular training Friday morning,” Santa Anita senior vice president and general manager Nate Newby said. “Many of our trainers and horse owners have conveyed they would prefer an extra day for their horses to resume training before we race this weekend.

“Dennis Moore and his maintenance team have done a terrific job taking care of the track. We got over 10 inches of rain since Sunday afternoon, but the forecast looking forward is very good. We’re confident that the main track and the turf course, especially with the improved drainage that was installed last year, will be in excellent condition ready when racing resumes on Saturday.”

With a favorable weather forecast, Saturday’s races, which are being drawn Wednesday, will include a trio of Grade 3 Stakes: the $100,000 Las Virgenes, the $100,000 San Marcos and the $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes.

Regular first post time this Saturday is at 3:30 p.m. EST and Santa Anita will have a special early first post time on Sunday of 1 p.m.

Santa Anita Park will host five days of racing next week, beginning with Thursday, Feb. 15, through President’s Day Monday, Feb. 19. First post time throughout the week will be 3:30 p.m. EST.