Nominations close this Sunday for 7 Stakes to be run Oct. 3-4 at the Santa Anita Autumn Meet; Includes 3 automatic qualifiers to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships

NOMINATIONS CLOSE THIS SUNDAY FOR 7 STAKES TO BE RUN OCT. 3-4 AT THE SANTA ANITA AUTUMN MEET; INCLUDES 3 AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Santa Anita’s 19-day Autumn Meet kicks off on Friday, Sept. 25 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1

ARCADIA, CA (Sept. 16, 2026)—Nominations close this Sunday for seven stakes set to be run the second weekend of Santa Anita’s 2026 Autumn Meet on Oct. 3-4. They are the Grade I American Pharoah presented by DK Horse, GII Oak Leaf presented by Oak Tree Racing Association, GII Rodeo Drive, GIII Chillingworth Stakes, GIII Zuma Beach, GIII Surfer Girl and listed Speakeasy Stakes.

The American Pharoah for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, Oak Leaf for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, Rodeo Drive for fillies and mares at 1 ¼ miles on turf all will be run on Saturday, Oct. 3 and serve as automatic qualifiers to this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Joining them on the Oct. 3 program are the Chillingworth for fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs on the main track and Speakeasy for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on turf.

The American Pharoah winner earns a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The winner of the Oak Leaf receives a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The Rodeo Drive winner receives a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky on Oct. 30-31.

The Zuma Beach and Surfer Girl both go on Sunday, Oct. 4. The Zuma Beach is for 2-year-olds at one mile on turf and Surfer Girl is for 2-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.

Santa Anita’s 19-day Autumn Meet opens on Friday, Sept. 25 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. For more information on stakes nominations, please contact the Racing Office at 626-574-6352.