Storm Cancels Racing at Santa Anita Dec. 31-Jan. 1

Santa Anita Park canceled racing Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 due to a strengthening rainstorm coming in from the Pacific Ocean. The storm, which was forecast to hit Thursday, has gathered strength and is now expected to impact Southern California around noon PT Wednesday. The two-day storm is expected to bring about 2 1/2 inches of rain to the area surrounding Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., according to the National Weather Service. California has a strict inclement-weather cancellation policy for racing, often leading to early cancellations when stormy weather looms. Santa Anita similarly delayed the opening of its ongoing meet due to wet weather and rescheduled racing days later when the weather cleared. The canceled races from Wednesday and Thursday will be rescheduled in the coming weeks. The first makeup day will be Jan. 8. Santa Anita had been scheduled to run the Eddie Logan Stakes and the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) Wednesday, plus seven other races. Nine races were also planned for Thursday's card, none of which were stakes.