Santa Anita, for the first time since 1976, is moving its opening day from the day after Christmas and instead will open Saturday, Dec. 28. The move is a signal as to how serious Santa Anita will take the condition of the racing surface after 30 horses died during the last winter/spring meeting. Last year’s opening day drew 41,373 with an opening-day record mutuel handle of more than $20 million. Santa Anita is required by the California Horse Racing Board to cancel 12 races during its seven-month season. Ostensibly, those days would come on bad weather days.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 22, 2019 00:11 UTC