Horse racing fans get to unwrap one final Christmas gift every year when California racing celebrates opening day at Santa Anita Park. The post-holiday kickoff marks the start of the winter-spring “Classic” meet at one of the country’s premier venues. Santa Anita’s traditional opening day for winter and spring racing is Dec. 26, right after the holiday, but this year the track will delay its launch until Sunday, Dec. 28, due to a forecast of heavy rain in the region during Christmas week.
Express Kid Joins Kentucky Derby Trail with Springboard Mile Upset
Express Kid, a 2-year-old California-bred colt who was purchased for only $2,000 as a yearling, joined a growing group of prospects the road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with a 34.50-1 upset win in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes during the late night of Dec.
CALUM McCLURKIN: Kempton has been unceremoniously sidelined in The Jockey Club portfolio
Perhaps it is the secrecy of it all that has shocked people the most.
Chip Honcho on Target in Gun Runner Stakes Win at Fair Grounds
Chip Honcho outran favored Liberty National and front runner Crown the Buckeye to win the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles Dec.
