<p>Santa Anita California Cup Day is an annual horse racing event showcasing top California-bred and California-sired thoroughbreds in stakes races.</p> <p>The event features five stakes races on a nine-race card, highlighting the Golden State's best competitors. It is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026 (local time), during Santa Anita's winter-spring meet running from December 2025 through June 2026.</p> <p>Races are restricted to horses bred or sired in California, promoting local breeding programs through the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA). One prominent race in the series is the California Cup Classic.</p> <h2>When Is the 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day?</h2> <p>The 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day is scheduled for Sunday, January 18 (AEDT), with the first race set to begin at 07:30 AEDT.</p> <h2>Where Is the 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day Held?</h2> <p>This event is held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The venue is considered one of the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/most-beautiful-racecourses-world-bucket-list">most beautiful racecourses in the world</a>, nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains.</p> <h2>2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day Prize Money</h2> <p>Three races carry $175,000 (AU$262,054) purses:</p> <ul> <li>California Chrome Cal Cup Derby (3YO, 8½ furlongs),</li> <li>Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks (F3YO, 8F turf)</li> <li>Unusual Heat Turf Classic (4+YO, 9F turf).</li> </ul> <p>The Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint (4+YO, 6F) offers a purse of $125,000 (AU$187,181).</p> <h2>How To Bet On The 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day?</h2> <p>You can bet on the 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day with Sportsbet, with our competitive <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/racing-schedule">horse racing betting odds</a>.</p> <p>To bet on these races, head over to the horse racing section of the site, find the horse you want to back and select its odds. This will add it to the betting slip, where you can then adjust your stake and confirm the bet by clicking 'Place Bet' at the bottom! If you're new to wagering on the races, our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-horses-a-horse-racing-betting-guide">guide to betting on horse racing</a> covers all the basics.</p> <h2>2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day: Betting Preview</h2> <p>When looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 Santa Anita California Cup Day, we've made some betting predictions about what we think could happen in each of the big three races…</p> <h3>California Chrome Cal Cup Derby</h3> <p>Ocean Bear enters the race as a favourite due to a winning streak. Smoovin Saturday could be a good each-way bet in this one, as he is a recent winner on this track at the same distance (1 1/16 miles on dirt).</p> <h3>Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks</h3> <p>A one-mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies, Too Sassy looks a good bet. The filly is a stakes winner and is looking to prove herself on turf. Cecilia Street could be worth an each-way bet due to a recent win in Santa Anita.</p> <h3>Unusual Heat Turf Classic</h3> <p>Vodka Vodka has interest ahead of this race, as two of his three wins have come on turf, and he continues to make strides regarding improvement. Hey Jessie is an outside threat worth an each-way bet.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/australias-richest-horse-races">The races with the biggest prize pools in Australian racing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/australian-horse-racing-terminology">Racing slang finally explained</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/racing-tips">Where the smart money is going today</a></li> </ul>