Santa Anita begins 2013-14 season Dec. 26

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Boxing Day is the day after Christmas in Great Britain and is also the first day of Santa Anita Park's 2013-14 racing season.

Santa Anita jumps into the fray on Thursday, Dec. 26 and will continue through Sunday, June 29. The season will actually have two meets.

The track's traditional winter meeting will run through Sunday, April 20, highlighted by the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, April 5. A new spring race meeting will begin Friday, April 25 to help fill the void left from the closing of Hollywood Park.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer $1 million for the Santa Anita Derby and we're happy to be able to raise the purse money on a total of 20 stakes this winter and spring," said Santa Anita Vice President of Racing, Rick Hammerle.

Sunshine Millions Cal Cup Day will be held Saturday, Jan. 25 and will include a new stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds, the $250,000 Cal Cup Derby.

Older horses will point toward the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (Big 'Cap) on Saturday, March 8.