Santa Anita Autumn Meet Offers 13 Graded Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Santa Anita's 2011 Autumn Meeting, which begins Sept. 30, will offer 13 graded stakes, including six Grade I events which will be run as part of Santa Anita's Breeders' Cup prep program that encompasses the first two weekends of the 24-day race meeting.

The Grade III, $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes will keynote the meet on opening day, as fillies and mares aged 3 and up will compete at 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita's downhill turf course.

"This fall we will offer a comprehensive stakes schedule that will give our horsemen the opportunity to prepare for the Breeders' Cup, which we are pleased and honored to host in 2012," said Santa Anita Director of Racing, Mike Harlow. "Our horsemen are excited to be at Santa Anita this fall and we look forward to welcoming them."

Santa Anita Park betting to offer six Grade One events this fall.

Santa Anita will present four Grade I stakes on Saturday, Oct. 1: the $250,000 Norfolk Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; the $250,000 Goodwood Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles; the $250,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes presented by Emirates Airline for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf, and the $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 1 1/16 miles.

The Grade I, $250,000 Oak Leaf Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, to be run on Sunday, Oct. 2, will round out the Grade I stakes action for opening weekend.

One additional Breeders' Cup prep race will be run early in the meet, as the Grade I, $250,000 Ancient Title Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 8.

The Grade II, $150,000 Oak Tree Mile (turf) for 3-year-olds and up will also be run on Oct. 8, as will the $65,000 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares 3-and-up at one mile on turf.

The $65,000 Louis R. Rowan Stakes for fillies and mares 3-and-up will be run Sunday, Oct. 9.

On Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 10, Santa Anita will offer the Grade III, $100,000 Morvich Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf. The $65,000 Jack Goodman Stakes for 2-year-olds will also be run at six furlongs.

The Grade II, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby, to be contested at 1 1/8 miles on turf, will be run on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Grade III, $100,000 Harold C. Ramser, Sr. Stakes will be run the following day, Oct. 16.

The $65,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs will be run Saturday, Oct. 22.

Santa Anita will present the 22nd running of the California Cup on Saturday, Oct. 29, with the $175,000, 1 1/8 miles California Cup Classic highlighting five stakes restricted to horses bred in the state of California. Included are the Distaff at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf for fillies and mares 3-and-up, the Sprint at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up and the Juvenile (colts and geldings) and the Juvenile Fillies, both at 1 1/16 miles.

The Santa Anita Autumn Meet will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 6, and will be highlighted by the Grade II, $150,000 Las Palmas Stakes for fillies and mares 3-and-up at one mile on turf.

Santa Anita Park betting on horse racing at Off Track Betting.