With Reduced Purses, Big ‘Cap, Santa Anita Derby Highlight Santa Anita Stakes Schedule

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2024-2025 stakes schedule at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, will feature 79 added-money events over a total of 78 race dates, topped by the GI Santa Anita Handicap and the GI Santa Anita Derby. The Big 'Cap, worth $400,000 in 2024, will offer prize money of $300,000 this year, while the purse of the Santa Anita Derby has been cut to $500,000 from $750,000. On the flipside, the purses on offer for overnight races are above what was offered last spring and autumn, with four allowance and maiden races increasing by better than 10%.

“It's prudent and responsible to adjust the number of stakes races to fit the new landscape of foal crop and horse population with a still impressive 79 stakes over 78 race days,” said Bill Nader, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “The overnight purses have been increased over the spring and fall levels which is a step in the right direction. Despite challenging times, Southern California remains a big part of American racing and the racing here at Santa Anita over the next several months will help reinforce that message.”

The winter/spring 'Classic' meeting begins, as usual, on Dec. 26, including a trio of Grade I events for 3-year-olds: the Malibu Stakes and La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs on the main track and the American Oaks at 10 panels on the turf. The opening- day program also includes the former GII San Antonio Stakes, which is being renamed in honor of legendary jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr.

“Laffit Pincay Jr. is one of the greatest ambassadors this sport has ever had, and it is past time for him to be honored,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita's senior vice president and general manager. “Laffit will turn 78 two days after Opening Day, and we are delighted to give him an early birthday present.”

The Santa Anita Handicap is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 1 on a program that also includes the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes, the GII DK Horse San Felipe Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the GII Buena Vista Stakes.

The Santa Anita Derby takes place Saturday, Apr. 5 and the supporting stakes on that afternoon include the GII Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita Oaks, the GIII Monrovia Stakes and the Echo Eddie and Evening Jewel Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-olds.

The Classic meeting runs 49 days through Apr. 6 and is followed by the 29-day Hollywood meet which kicks off after a 12-day break on Apr. 18 and continues through June 15. Overall, the 79 stakes–47 at the graded level and nine Grade Is–are worth $12 million. Twenty-one stakes are to be contested over the turf course.

The highlight of the Hollywood meeting comes on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, with the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes, the GI Gamely Stakes and GII Hollywood Gold Cup on tap.

Click here for the entire stakes schedule.

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