Santa Anita Announces its 2026 Classic Meet Stakes Schedule
Santa Anita Park is set to open its 2025–26 season on December 26 with a strengthened stakes lineup and an increase in overnight purses. The track will distribute $11.75 million in stakes purses across the Classic and Hollywood meets, highlighted by a deep roster of graded races and major opening-day features such as the Malibu Stakes, La Brea Stakes, and the American Oaks. Santa Anita continues to emphasize both national-level competition and support for California-bred programs throughout the meet.
This season also brings an approximate five-percent boost to overnight purse levels, including maiden special weight races rising to $70,000. Track officials noted that the increase aims to strengthen field sizes, improve day-to-day racing quality, and maintain Santa Anita’s position as a premier winter racing destination despite California’s unique purse structure.
The expanded stakes calendar features key three-year-old prep races leading up to the Santa Anita Derby on April 4, along with cornerstone events for older horses such as the Santa Anita Handicap, scheduled for March 7. Several state-restricted stakes have also been retained or restored, reinforcing opportunities for California connections.
With richer overnights, a robust stakes schedule, and traditional holiday-week opening festivities, Santa Anita sets the stage for a competitive and high-quality 2026 season on the Southern California circuit.