"That date is traditionally the day after Christmas, but for the second time in seven years, the forecast of heavy rain caused Santa Anita officials to postpone "extended Christmas" by two days. The revised opening-week schedule for Santa Anita's "Classic Meet" will feature racing Sunday and Monday, a day off Tuesday and full cards Dec. 31 through Jan. 4. The regular three-day racing weeks begin Jan. 9 and continue through April 5."
"Unfortunately for those involved in the sport, not every day can be opening day and the "fun factor drops off in a hurry," as handicapper, owner and "Thoroughbred Los Angeles" radio co-host Jon Lindo put it. Familiar issues include the declining horse population, bettors turned off by computer-assisted wagering, no ancillary revenue from other sources (like slot-machine imitator Historical Horse Racing) to boost purses and a shortage of recognizable equine and human stars."
Santa Anita postponed its traditional post-Christmas opening day because heavy rain was forecast, moving racing to Sunday and Monday, with a day off Tuesday and full cards Dec. 31–Jan. 4. Regular three-day race weeks start Jan. 9 and run through April 5, with Friday–Sunday cards and holiday programs Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. Opening day features a six-stakes card including three Grade 1 races such as the Malibu Stakes. The sport faces declining horse populations, bettors deterred by computer-assisted wagering, lack of ancillary revenue like Historical Horse Racing, and a shortage of recognizable equine and human stars.
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