The San Gabriel Mountains

Santa Anita Park

ThoroughbredDirtTurf
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California. It opened in 1934, making it 92 years old in 2026. It races on a 1-mile dirt oval, 0.9-mile turf course with downhill hillside turf course. It holds about 26,000 fans.

Its signature races are the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1).

Santa Anita has hosted the Breeders' Cup a record 11 times, more than any other track.

Track facts

Location
Arcadia, California
Racing
Thoroughbred
Surfaces
Dirt, Turf
Track
1-mile dirt oval, 0.9-mile turf course with downhill hillside turf course
Opened
1934
Capacity
26,000
Racing season
Late December–June and late September–October
Operator
1/ST Racing (The Stronach Group)
Nickname
The Great Race Place
Size rank
5th of 17

Signature races at Santa Anita Park

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs late December–June and late September–October. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Santa Anita Park and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Santa Anita Park

Hotels near Santa Anita ParkBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Santa Anita ParkTours & things to do in ArcadiaSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Santa Anita Park10

  1. 1ThoroughbredLos Alamitos Race Course — Los Alamitos Futurity (Cypress, California)23 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredDel Mar — Pacific Classic (Del Mar, California)93 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredTurf Paradise — Turf Paradise Derby (Phoenix, Arizona)343 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredSunRay Park & Casino — San Juan County Commissioners Handicap (Farmington, New Mexico)587 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredWyoming Downs — Wyoming Downs Derby (Evanston, Wyoming)626 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredGrants Pass Downs — Thoroughbred racing (Grants Pass, Oregon)640 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredThe Downs Racetrack & Casino — Downs at Albuquerque Fall QH Championship (QH G1) (Albuquerque, New Mexico)655 mi
  8. 8ThoroughbredSunland Park Racetrack & Casino — Sunland Park Derby (Sunland Park, New Mexico)685 mi
  9. 9ThoroughbredBally's Arapahoe Park — Gold Rush Futurity (Aurora, Colorado)829 mi
  10. 10ThoroughbredZia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack — Zia Park Derby (Hobbs, New Mexico)864 mi

Questions about Santa Anita Park

Where is Santa Anita Park?

Santa Anita Park is in Arcadia, California.

What kind of racing is at Santa Anita Park?

Santa Anita Park hosts thoroughbred racing. Live racing runs late December–June and late September–October.

When did Santa Anita Park open?

Santa Anita Park opened in 1934.

How many people does Santa Anita Park hold?

Santa Anita Park holds about 26,000 fans.

What is the biggest race at Santa Anita Park?

The signature race at Santa Anita Park is the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

What other racetracks are near Santa Anita Park?

The closest is Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California, about 23 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.