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Boxing Day is not a US holiday so we shall call this day 26 December.

But it is the opening of the Santa Anita festival and it starts with 3 Grade 2 and 3 Grade 1 races.

The San Gabriel is Gr 2 over 1800m and 6 runners.  Great Aussie interest here in Easter, who is by Exosphere.  He's now with Phil d'Amato and Antonio Fresu has been booked for the ride. They are on 8/5, with the cleverly named Tio Mogic (by Uncle Mo) on 3/1.

The American Oaks is over 2000m on turf and has 7 runners.  After all the rich food of late Anisette would be most appropriate here and indeed she is on 8/5 for Powell-Rispoli.  Musical Mischief is 3/1.

The San Antonio is Gr 2 over 1700m and here the Argentinian-bred Subsander is on 9/5 with Salesman on 9/2.  6 starters.

The Malibu Stakes is Gr 1 over 1400m for 3yos with 8 going to post and it looks like a Baffert benefit race with his 3 entrants the top three in the market – Speed Boat Beach is on 5/2 and Fort Bragg and Hejazi are both on 4/1.

The Santa Anita Mathis Mile is Gr 2 on turf with 7 starters.  Almendares is on 2/1, and on 5/2 we have Dandy Man Shines and Watsonville.

The Graded Stakes races conclude with the La Brea Gr 1 over 1400m for 3yo fillies and topping the market is one of our favourites Clearly Unhinged.  We think the name probably applies to most owners as well as the horses.  She's on 3/1 with Daddysruby and Howl on 4/1.