Santa Anita’s Winter Meetup, dubbed the ‘Classic Race Meeting’, will open on the traditional December 26 with a new $100,000 minimum bet for both category events. black soil and black grass. Additionally, subsidy races will be ramped up, with all open grants set at $85,000 and first-to-third condition grants applying to purses between 72,000 and 76,000. dollars. This is the largest purse structure in Santa Anita’s 88-year history.
“There is no denying that costs are rising across every aspect of our economy,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita Motor and Racing Division Manager. “Together with TOC [Thoroughbred Owners of California], without anyone’s support these changes would not be possible, we hope these wallet increases will support owners and coaches who are paying the bills for athletes program participants. In addition, we want riders to know that all subsidized races will now include a ‘state-breed’ clause, meaning that any horse that has won a race by the state will Breeders anywhere in the country are still eligible for the first qualifying grant of $72,000 here in Santa Anita.”
Santa Anita’s downhill Camino Real, the manger and the oval on the grass are all ready for the meeting. “Our turf is in bad shape,” says Merz. “With downhill and grass slide components, we are pleased to offer the betting public as well as fans a wide selection of grass racing options.”
Six graded races tagged for opening day, including HOLD Runhappy Malibu S., GI La Brea S. and GI American Oaks. GI Breeders’ Cup Third Classic Taiba (gunman) will be looking for their third Class I win of the year in Malibu.
“We feel he has a lot of progress left,” said Gary Young, race manager for owner Amr Zedan. “We have a lot of confidence in this horse. Malibu is a good bridge between the Breeders’ Cup and next year’s Saudi Cup.”
Entry for the opening day will be made on December 21st. First post is at 11am
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged California wallet, Chris Merz, Increase wallet, Santa Anita, Taiba, racing.
