Santa Anita cancels weekend cards because of severe weather

Because of unprecedented winter conditions forecast for Southern California through this weekend, Santa Anita Park has canceled Saturday and Sunday’s racing programs before entries were taken for either day.

The track already had postponed the Friday racing card, which was a makeup day not originally on the calendar.

Blizzard warnings have been issued for the San Gabriel Mountains behind the historic track, with snowfall expected at the 1,000-foot level. It is the first blizzard warning ever issued in Los Angeles County. The storm, which is expected to begin late morning on Thursday, is forecast to drop six inches of rain through Saturday.

The decision to cancel both days out of an abundance of caution was made in consultation with industry stakeholders, including the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers Association, and the California Horse Racing Board.

In the judgement of the stakeholders, because the track will have been closed for training for at least two days because of the storm, the races were called off through the weekend to prioritize the safety of the competitors.

The main track and training track training schedule will be announced on a daily basis and will be open for training as the weather permits.