SANTA ANITA’S 2016 SPRING MEETING

SANTA ANITA’S 2016 SPRING MEETING TO OPEN THURSDAY, MAY 5; 40 DAY STAND TO INCLUDE 16 GRADED STAKES, HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GRADE I, $500,000 GOLD CUP AT SANTA ANITA ON JUNE 25

May 1, 2016



KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVITIES ABOUND ON SATURDAY, MAY 7, AS GATES OPEN AT 7:15 A.M.; FREE INFIELD GENERAL ADMISSION AND PARKING VIA GATE 6 OFFERED EACH WEEKEND



ARCADIA, Calif. (May 1, 2016)–Santa Anita’s 40-day Spring Meeting will get underway on Thursday, May 5, with first post time set for 2 p.m. On Saturday, May 7, Santa Anita Park will be the place to be as The Great Race Place will host the biggest Kentucky Derby Party west of Louisville, with admission gates opening at 7:15 a.m.

Santa Anita will offer fans and horsemen a total of 16 graded stakes over the 40-day stand, with the Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, for three year olds and up at a mile and a quarter on June 25, highlighting a full complement of world class racing that will run through closing day on July 10.

With the closing of Hollywood Park in December, 2013, Santa Anita will be conducting its third Spring Meet on a Thursday through Sunday basis, with the exceptions of Memorial Day racing on Monday, May 30 and Independence Day racing on Monday, July 4.

OPENING WEEK SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE



–Thursday, May 5

First post time at 2 p.m., admission gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday’s feature is the Grade II, $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes for older fillies and mares at one mile on turf.



–Kentucky Oaks Day, Friday, May 6

First live race post time at 2 p.m.

Admission gates open at 7:15 a.m. and early wagering will be offered in the Paddock Room.

All other areas open 11:30 a.m.

Friday’s main event is the Grade III, $100,000 American Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on turf.

Approximate post time for the Kentucky Oaks is at 2:49 p.m. PDT.



–Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 7                

First live race post time at 12 noon, admission gates open at 7:15 a.m.

Kentucky Derby post time (approximate), 3:34 p.m. PDT

KROQ Infield Beer Festival, Kentucky Derby Hat Contest, Derby Guest Chef Series in the Chandelier Room and Derby Trackside Package. (Please visit santaanita.com for more information).

FREE INFIELD GENERAL ADMISSION AND PARKING, VIA GATE 6, TO BE OFFERED EACH WEEKEND.

Outstanding Derby Day live racing card to be highlighted by Grade III, $100,000 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.

Saturday’s co-feature is the $75,000 Desert Code Stakes Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course.



–Sunday, May 8                                      

First post time at 12:30 p.m.

Mother’s Day Brunch offered in Turf Terrace (sold out).

 Three-time Eclipse Award Champion Beholder is expected to make her 2016 debut in the Grade III, $100,000 Adoration Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.