Santa Anita delays opening-day draw until Sunday

Santa Anita's draw for opening day next Friday will be held Sunday, a two-day delay.

In a notice to horsemen, Santa Anita said the delay will allow additional time to evaluate the weather forecast.

Horses who were entered will not need to be re-entered, according to the notice, and the opening=day card will be finalized Sunday.

Santa Anita will take double entries on Monday for next Saturday and next Sunday. Those draws had been scheduled for Sunday.

Friday's opening-day card features six graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Malibu, American Oaks and La Brea. The number of Friday entries for those stakes ranged from seven for the Mathis Mile (G2) to 12 for the La Brea and American Oaks, according to figures sent at 3:38 p.m. EDT.

The National Weather Service forecast for Arcadia, Calif., extends through Thursday and indicated showers are likely Tuesday though Thursday.

Weather.com predicts showers will continue through Saturday, with 1 to 2 inches expected Tuesday night, 2 to 4 inches on Wednesday and more than an inch on Thursday.

Two of Friday's graded stakes are slated to be on turf, the American Oaks on the downhill course at 1 1/4 miles and the San Gabriel at 1 1/8 miles.