Santa Anita Park Unveils Extensive Autumn Racing Season Featuring 26 Stakes Races and Breeders' Cup Qualifiers
Experience the Thrill: Santa Anita's Autumn Racing Extravaganza
Commencement of the Autumn Meet and Key Grade 1 Events
The 2026 autumn racing season at Santa Anita Park will kick off this Friday, September 25th. The highlight of the initial phase includes two Grade 1 races. On September 26th, the $300,000 Goodwood Stakes will challenge older horses over 1 1/8 miles. Following this, on October 3rd, two-year-olds will compete in the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. Victories in both these Grade 1 events secure an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup, scheduled for October 30-31st at Keeneland Race Course.
Breeders' Cup Qualification Opportunities in Sprint and Distaff Divisions
Sunday, September 27th, will feature two additional races offering direct qualification to the Breeders' Cup. The $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, a Grade 2 race spanning six furlongs, will award its winner a fully-paid spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint. Concurrently, the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes, a Grade 2 event for fillies and mares over 1 1/16 miles, will provide its victor with a fees-paid entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Additional Breeders' Cup Pathways Across Various Disciplines
Further opportunities for Breeders' Cup entry will arise through other significant races. The City of Hope Mile (Grade 2) on turf, held on September 26th, offers a bid to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile. On October 3rd, the Oak Leaf Stakes (Grade 2), contested over 1 1/16 miles, grants access to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The same day, the Rodeo Drive Stakes (Grade 2), a 1 1/4-mile turf race, provides its winner a place in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Comprehensive Overview of the Stakes Race Calendar
The full schedule of stakes races at Santa Anita's autumn meet includes a diverse array of events catering to various age groups and racing surfaces. Notable races include the Eddie D Stakes (G2) and John Henry Turf Championship (G2) on September 26th, the Chillingworth Stakes (G3) on October 3rd, and the Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) on October 24th. The season culminates with the Twilight Derby (G2) on November 1st, promising a rich tapestry of high-stakes competitions throughout the autumn.