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Santa Anita Opens Winter/Spring Meeting on Sunday

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Horses practicing on the new dirt track at Santa Anita Park. (Benoit Photography/Used with permission)

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With the post-Christmas sales going on, Santa Anita Park is hoping people will bypass the capitalistic orgy of spending and falling prey to corporations' predatory pricing practices and instead put some money down on the horses.

But it should be noted in the press release I received they made sure to note that the new Westfield shopping mall has completed its expansion next door, so if you want to sate your proletariat desires so be it.

Notably the Santa Anita track is going back to a dirt surface after being with a synthetic surface for three controversial years sprinkled with drainage problems following rain storms and a question of the safety of the surface for horses. With Hollywood Park's synthetic surface most likely having to postpone races due to rain, things should go on as scheduled at Santa Anita.

Sunday's first post will be at noon and will feature the $250,000 Grade I Malibu Stakes, the $250,000 Grade I La Brea Stakes, the $150,000 Grade II Sir Beaufort Stakes and the $100,000 California Breeders Champion Stakes. All fans will receive a free calendar and the park will have a Family Fun Day in the infield. Included in the fun are giant inflatables, pony rides, face painting, carnival games and the Seabiscuit exhibit.

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