SANTA ANITA AUTUMN MEET ROLLS ON SUNDAY WITH 10-RACE CARD FEATURING 2 STAKES WITH BREEDERS’ CUP IMPLICATIONS

*It’s also Japan Family Day at The Great Race Place. First post is 1 p.m. with admission gates opening at 11 a.m. *

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 5, 2024)—The second week of Santa Anita’s 16-day Autumn Meet continues Sunday with another action-packed day of racing and entertainment. In addition to a stellar 10-race card featuring two stakes with Breeders’ Cup implications, Sunday is also Japan Family Day at The Great Race Place.

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. and post time for the first race is 1 p.m.

Highlighting the world-class racing action on the track are the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds and the GIII, $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Both are contested at one mile on turf. The Zuma Beach is a potential launching pad to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 1 at Del Mar. The Surfer Girl could propel the top finishers to a spot in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, also Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The Surfer Girl, headlined by favorite Thought Process for trainer Phil D’Amato, goes as the fourth race at approximately 2:30 p.m. The Zuma Beach, led by favorite Iron Man, also trained by D’Amato, goes as the eighth race at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Japan Family Day at Santa Anita was created as a way to help introduce Japanese culture to the people of Southern California. It has since become one of the most popular Japanese festivals in the region.

Activities include a Japanese Food Festival and Japanese Pop Culture exhibits with anime and a cosplay contest on stage. Cosplayers are welcome to come as your favorite character. There is also a variety of entertainment scheduled for the Grandstand Stage, plus open karaoke, DJ’s and a special fun area for kids with games and other activities.

Also, patrons on Japan Family Day will receive a free chance at drawing from a $30,000 Cherry Tree. The Grand Prize is $5,000. Participants can also receive prizes of $1,000, $100, $20, $10 or $5.

Ticket packages for Japan Family Day include a Japanese Eats Starter Pack for $41. You will receive a $15 food voucher, one Sake Craft Cocktail, $5 betting voucher, admission including a program and general parking, tip sheet, and either grandstand or trackside seating depending on your preference.

You can find more information on Japan Family Day by visiting japanfamilyday.com.

Prior to the racing action Sunday, patrons can also come early and enjoy breakfast at Clockers’ Corner and a free Seabiscuit Tram Tour, which departs Clockers’ Corner at 9:45 a.m. Clocker’s Corner, a popular trackside breakfast destination for decades, offers a full breakfast menu and spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains as Santa Anita’s trainers put some of the nation’s top Thoroughbreds through their morning paces.

Admission and parking to Clockers’ Corner is free. It is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and is accessible via Gate 8 off Baldwin Ave. Daily Racing Form’s and programs are also available for purchase.

General admission tickets for the racing and entertainment action are available for $10 and include a free program and general parking. Reserved seats are available for $20. For more information, visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.