Due to the expansion of wildfires devastating Los Angeles County, Santa Anita has canceled racing for both Saturday and Sunday. The announcement came after the Palisades fire and evacuation zones grew larger, impacting more people in the area. Santa Anita had already postponed Friday’s races due to the nearby Eaton fire and unhealthy air quality. The California Cup program of five stakes for Cal-bred horses, scheduled for Saturday, will be rescheduled for January 18.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Santa Anita officials have stressed that the facility remains miles away from the fire zone and is not in imminent danger. The air quality has remained good enough for morning training to continue, although the situation remains fluid. Executives at Santa Anita are working to assist in the relief efforts by offering parts of the property for charity drop-offs and as a base for crews working to restore power to affected areas. In 2024, Cal Cup day drew a large crowd of fans and significant betting figures, making it a noteworthy event at Santa Anita in January.
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