Santa Anita cancels live racing Thursday due to weather forecast

With heavy rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, Santa Anita Park has announced that live racing will return with an 11-race card on Friday, with first post time at noon PT.

Although racing had been scheduled to resume on Thursday, track management is acting proactively in order to try to avoid most of the heavy rain and present an outstanding program Friday and through the weekend, which will be highlighted by the 82nd running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday.

The National Weather Service is calling for a 100 percent chance of rain Wednesday, with the likelihood of significant rain diminishing Thursday and through the weekend.

Santa Anita will remain open for training every day this week and will be open for simulcast wagering on Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Grandstand Paddock Room.

In addition to the Big ’Cap at a 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, Santa Anita will also present the $500,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for Kentucky Derby hopefuls at 1 1/16 miles, the $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) on turf, the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (G2) for older horses at seven furlongs and the $75,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.