Santa Anita's Autumn Meet Features Seven Breeders' Cup Qualifiers
Santa Anita Park is set to host its highly anticipated 2026 autumn racing season, featuring an impressive lineup of 26 stakes races. Among these, a significant seven events will serve as direct qualifiers for the prestigious Breeders' Cup, offering a golden ticket to the championship. The 19-day meet is scheduled to commence on Friday, September 25, and will conclude on Sunday, November 1, promising an action-packed period for thoroughbred enthusiasts.
The autumn meet's schedule is highlighted by two Grade 1 races in its opening weeks. The first, the $300,000 Goodwood Stakes, is slated for Saturday, September 26, and will see older horses compete over 1 1/8 miles. Following this, on October 3, the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes, presented by DK Horse, will feature 2-year-olds covering 1 1/16 miles. Victors of both these premier races will secure automatic berths in the Breeders' Cup, which will take place on October 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky.
The opening Saturday, September 26, will be particularly busy, with the Goodwood Stakes being one of five stakes races held. Other notable events that day include the Eddie D Stakes (Grade 2), the City of Hope Mile (Grade 2), the John Henry Turf Championship (Grade 2), and the John C. Harris Stakes (Grade 3). All these races, with the exception of the John C. Harris, are also designated as "Win and You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition.
The momentum continues into Sunday, September 27, when Santa Anita will showcase the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (Grade 2) and the Zenyatta Stakes (Grade 2) for fillies and mares. Both of these races are crucial automatic qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup, further intensifying the battle for championship entry. The subsequent Saturday, October 3, will feature five more stakes, including the American Pharoah, Oak Leaf Stakes (Grade 2), Rodeo Drive (Grade 2), Chillingworth Stakes (Grade 3), and the Speakeasy Stakes. Last year's Oak Leaf winner, Super Corredora, notably went on to claim victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, underscoring the significance of these races.
The final weekend of the autumn meet, ending November 1, will culminate with the Twilight Derby (Grade 2) for 3-year-olds, contested over 1 1/8 miles on turf. This closing event provides a fitting end to a season filled with high-stakes competition and thrilling performances, bringing together the best of thoroughbred racing.