Oak Tree Day this Saturday, Oct. 3 combines world-class racing, horsemen awards, traditional giveaways and Birriamania at Santa Anita Park

OAK TREE DAY THIS SATURDAY, OCT. 3 COMBINES WORLD-CLASS RACING, HORSEMEN AWARDS, TRADITIONAL GIVEAWAYS AND BIRRIAMANIA AT SANTA ANITA PARK

Five stakes, including three Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, headline action-packed program at The Great Race Place

ARCADIA, CA (Sept. 30, 2026) — Santa Anita Park celebrates Oak Tree Day presented by the Oak Tree Association, this Saturday, Oct. 3, combining world-class racing, horseman ‘Best Turned Out Award', fan giveaways and a full slate of trackside entertainment at The Great Race Place.

In addition to an action-packed 10-race program, the day will feature five stakes, including three with Breeders’ Cup incentives on the line. Fans can also take part in a variety of activities including a $30,000 Cherry Tree, Oak Tree giveaways and special events and Birriamania trackside.

For horsemen, the Oak Tree Association will again present a “Best Turned Out Award” after every race with the groom of each winning horse receiving a $500 gift card.

Two-year-olds headline the stakes with the Grade I American Pharoah presented by DK Horse, an automatic qualifier to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree Racing Association, offering an automatic bid into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, both contested at a mile and one-sixteenth. In addition, the Grade II Rodeo Drive, for fillies and mares at a mile and a quarter on turf, will award the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The Grade III Chillingworth Stakes for fillies and mares at six and a half furlongs on dirt and the Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on turf round out the card.

The Oak Leaf carries a particularly significant connection to Saturday’s celebration. One of the original stakes races contested during the traditional Oak Tree Meet, the race was renamed the Chandelier Stakes in 2012 before returning to its historic Oak Leaf name in 2024 in honor of the Oak Tree Racing Association.

Founded in 1968 by California horsemen as a nonprofit corporation with the guiding philosophy of “horsemen helping horsemen,” the Oak Tree Racing Association conducted its annual fall meet at Santa Anita from 1969 through 2009. Profits from the meet were directed toward a variety of racing-related charitable causes. While the Oak Tree race meet is no longer held, the organization has continued its support of the Thoroughbred industry.

The Grade III Chillingworth Stakes also has a special connection to Oak Tree Day at Santa Anita. The race is named in honor of Sherwood Chillingworth, who served for many years as an executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. Following Chillingworth's passing in 2019, Santa Anita named the race in his honor the following year.

Oak Tree Day at Santa Anita will offer plenty of enticements for 1/ST Rewards members and fans throughout the track.

1/ST Rewards members will receive a free opportunity to draw a lucky envelope from the $30,000 Cherry Tree, located at the Kingsbury fountain featuring a top prize of $5,000. On-track patrons who are members of Santa Anita's 1/ST Rewards program can choose from an assortment of Oak Tree-themed giveaways, including the popular Oak Tree steins, binoculars and more, available with paid admission.

The Ferdinand Pin and 1/ST Rewards Cooler Bag will also be available as part of a special promotion throughout the Autumn Meet. All giveaways are available while supplies last.

Free registration to become a 1/ST Rewards member will be available on Oak Tree Day at designated giveaway locations or at the Rewards Center on Santa Anita’s Mainline.

Adding even more flavor to Oak Tree Day, the ever-popular LA TACO's Birriamania returns trackside to The Great Race Place. Fans can enjoy an afternoon featuring: Live DJ and mariachis, Lucha Libre, cold craft beers and micheladas and some of Los Angeles' best birria taco vendors including Birria La Unica, Teddy’s Red Tacos, Taqueria Frontera and more. The Birriamania Starter Pack, available for $37.54, includes three taco scrips, one craft beer or wine, admission with program and general parking, and a betting tip sheet.