Santa Anita cancels Thursday races because of rain

Santa Anita canceled its eight-race card on Thursday because of the major rain that was expected to drench the area until late in the evening. Last year, weather canceled racing at the track on three days: Jan. 12, Jan. 20 and Feb. 16.

Racing is scheduled to resume Friday and some of the canceled races are expected to be added to Sunday’s card as well as others in coming days.

It was a fairly decent card for a Thursday, including a 6-furlong allowance race between Ax Man and Zulfikhar, both trained by Bob Baffert. It’s unclear when that race will be rescheduled.

Santa Anita has benefited this meet from weather cancellations, mostly cold and snow back on the East Coast. That has increased mutuel handle because of fewer nationwide betting opportunities.