Santa Anita Park is set to host an exciting day of Thoroughbred racing on Friday, May 23, 2025, featuring a nine-race program that promises to entertain horse racing enthusiasts. The gates will open at 11:00 a.m., with the first race scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m., offering fans a full day of on-track action at one of California’s premier racing venues.
The day will kick off with a claiming race for three-year-olds or four-year-olds and upward that have never won two races. This sprint will be contested over 6½ furlongs with a purse of $26,000. Five runners are set to compete: UNBREAKABLE TRUST, THE OLD NINE (IRE), MONGOLIAN ALTAI, WHITE MOUNTAIN, and NAVY JACK (GB).
The second race is a starter stakes race restricted to fillies and mares three years old and upward who have been based in Northern California since January 1, 2024, and have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less, without having won more than one race. The race will be run over 6 furlongs with a purse of $22,000. Contenders include MANIAE, TINY PRANCER, NANCI GRIFFITH, COIFFEUR, and GOODNIGHT NELLIE.
The third race is a claiming event for restricted three-year-olds and older based in Northern California since January 1, 2024, that have not won two races, or that have started for a claiming price of $6,250 or less in one of their last two starts. The race will be run over 1 mile with a $14,000 purse. Competing horses are UPDRAFT, FAST SERVICE, DAZZLE THE COMMAND, BIG BET, BRUISER, and SUNSET STORM.
Race four features a maiden claiming race for fillies and mares aged three, four, and five years old, running over 1 mile for a $20,000 purse. Seven notable contenders are set to go to post: PARADE DOWN BROAD, LADY RIDER, UNION HEIRESS, WISHFUL WINKER, JAPHAR’S GIRL, AGGRO, and SIEMPRE NAMAN.
The fifth race is a 6-furlong race for three-year-old fillies who have never won a race worth $21,000 outside of maiden, claiming, starter, or state-bred company, or who have never won two races or are entered with a claiming price of $100,000. This race carries a substantial $61,000 purse. The six contenders are PRIME AND READY, PROUD STARLET, SOMEDAY LADY, PREEM, LITTLE MO, and FAVOR TO YOU.
In race six, a maiden claiming sprint over 5½ furlongs will feature restricted maidens aged three, four, and five years old. This race has a $13,500 purse, and the field includes MASTER JACQUES, GREY AREA, PAX A PUNCH, FAR OVER LOADED, ONE BOLD BID, GOT YOUR SIX, and SLEWSCION.
Race seven is an allowance race for three-year-olds and upward, going over 1 mile with a $43,000 purse. The six contenders lined up are UNCLE HAPPY, ESCAPE ARTIST, HEART HEADED, BEEF WINSLOW, VANTASTIC, and AWESOME RHYTHM.
The eighth race of the day is a California-bred or California-sired allowance optional claiming race for fillies and mares aged three and older who meet specific win and claiming conditions. The event will be run over 1 mile for a $61,000 purse. Participants include SAND TO SEA, SMILE BABY SMILE, RAISING SILVER, DORINE’S WILD CAT, SMILING LADY, PRINCESA DEL TIGRE, and GARDEN PARTY.
The race day concludes with a maiden claiming race for maidens aged three, four, and five years old, contested over 6 furlongs for a $33,000 purse. The final field of the day consists of VERACRUZ, MAGIC CONNECTION, BROTHER TONY, BURNING RUBBER, ADEBAYO, MY HERO, RE ARMED JON, BAZOOKA CHARLIE, and CANO FOR THE WIN.
With competitive fields and strong prize money, the May 23 card at Santa Anita Park promises a spectacular day of racing for fans and horsemen alike.
