Santa Anita Park announced that their 2022-23 Winter/Spring Betting Schedule will offer fans and riders a total of 93 stakes, 10 of which are Tier I events, including the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) $750,000 on April 8, and the 58 classification races begin with the track’s traditional opening on Monday, December 26 through the closing date, June 18.
“We are pleased to be able to announce our Winter/Spring staking schedule at this time and once again let everyone know that our ‘Ship & Win’ program will be for those out-of-state horses were eligible during the meeting,” said Chris Merz, Racing Director and Santa Anita Secretary of Racing. “We feel there’s something for everyone on this staking schedule and we’re excited to offer it. We’ve worked diligently with coaches and other industry stakeholders to create a program that suits our horse population and meets the needs of our owners and riders.”
One of the most important dates on the Southern California athletic calendar, the opening day will feature a total of six graded stakes, marked by three Level I events, $300,000, Runhappy Malibu, for 3-year-olds. at seven coats, La Brea, for a 3-year-old at seven furs and American Oaks, for a 3-year-old at one mile and a quarter on grass.
In addition, three $200,000 Level 2 races will be held on opening day, Mathis Mile, for 3-year-olds on grass, San Antonio, for horses older than a mile, and a sixteenth and San Gabriel, for older horses at one mile and one eighth on grass.
Santa Anita’s prestigious Tier I listing will continue on Saturday, March 4, when the $500,000 Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and $500,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile ( grass) will take center stage alongside one of the key Derby prize money, the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2).
Named for Spendthrift Farm’s four-time Eclipse Prize winner and three-time Breeder’s Cup winner, the $500,000 Beholder Mile (G1) will be run on March 11.
The $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), the race that has produced 19 Kentucky Derby winners, will take place on Saturday, April 8 and be complemented by four other stakes, including Charles Whittingham (G2T) $200,000 and Monrovia $200,000 (G2T).
Three Tier I shares, $500,000 Shoemaker Mile (grass), $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, and $400,000 Gamely, all of which will be contested on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.
Santa Anita’s traditional closing date feature, the $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T), a mile and three-quarters from the Camino Real Hillside Turf Course, will highlight proceedings on June 18.
Santa Anita’s Winter Spring 2022-23 Deposit Schedule can be viewed in its entirety here. For more information, please contact the Santa Anita Racing Office at (626) 574-6352.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
