Opening weekend brought autumn excitement to Santa Anita Park as the much-anticipated Autumn Meet got under way. Ticket sales began Friday, August 15, at 11 a.m. PT, with passes available via Ticketmaster. Free parking, general admission, and an all-day Happy Hour every Friday greeted guests as racing began Friday, September 26.
Autumn Meet anchored its final three weekends with fan favorites: Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival, and Japan Family Weekend. The highlight of opening weekend was Breeders’ Cup Challenge Weekend, featuring four “Win and You’re In” stakes races. These draw national attention and drive attendance.
Autumn Meet combines tradition and fun
Santa Anita Park’s Autumn Meet lineup emphasized both racing prestige and community engagement. Promotions like the Pumpkin Patch and Japan Family Weekend struck a balance between sport and celebration. This five-week racing schedule began Friday, September 26, offering 16 days of live racing through engaging themed weekends.
Tickets and promotions
Passes went on sale Friday, August 15, at 11 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster, according to a July 13 release from 1/ST Racing. Attendees enjoyed free parking, general admission, and a Happy Hour every Friday during the meet. For more details on upcoming events and schedules, fans can visit Santa Anita Park’s official website.
Santa Anita’s racing history
Santa Anita Park opened Christmas Day 1934, designed in an elegant Art Deco and Colonial Revival style by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann. The track’s inaugural Santa Anita Handicap followed in February 1935 and was the wealthiest race in the country at the time.
The venue has also intersected with history. In 1942, it served as the largest assembly center for Japanese Americans during World War II. The grandeur and original architecture remain largely preserved and were deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
A landmark for sport and culture
Santa Anita has hosted iconic contests and equestrian events. Seabiscuit famously won the Big ‘Cap here in 1940. The track hosted Olympic equestrian events in 1984 and is scheduled to host again during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Breeders’ Cup Challenge Weekend continues the tradition: Santa Anita has hosted the year-end championships more than any other track. Its signature races—the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap—remain among the sport’s elite engagements.
Beyond racing, Santa Anita Park serves as a cultural and community gathering place. Its long history, landmark architecture, and ongoing events anchor it as one of Arcadia’s most prominent destinations.
Closing:
The Autumn Meet at Santa Anita Park isn’t just a showcase of racing—it reflects decades of heritage, community, and festivity. From its Art Deco roots and historical milestones to themed weekends and international racing appeal, the Autumn Meet carries forward a Southern California tradition that continues to attract fans and families alike.
