Santa Anita Park at a crossroads. Racetrack remains profitable but a string of cancellations, fewer horses in the running, and off-track betting show problems in the backstretch.
Santa Anita Park backstretch workers voice concerns and support of new best practices and reforms that establish a new standard for the humane treatment of race horses they care for and love.
Dennis Moore, 67 year old track superintendent since November 2014, helps Santa Anita Park race track shine, horses stay safe. He is currently maintaining the racing surfaces at Santa Anita Park, Los Alamitos, and Del Mar.
Santa Anita Park has live-racing for the first time on the same day as Kentucky Derby. The track will be rooting for Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome, a California-bred race horse.
Santa Anita Park race track draws 44,000 plus fans on this season's opening day December 26. Hero John Shear (photo) returns to track duties as paddock guard after saving a child's life last spring. Jockey Mike Smith rides Mr. Bossy Pants to win the 7th race (photo).
Gene Simmons, frontman and singer of rock group KISS, promises to work magic at Santa Anita Park race track, with ideas for using the track for nightclubs, shopping, lifestyle attractions, concerts, and other events.
Arcadia's Santa Anita Park Race Track announces racing closure following 21 horse deaths since December. Racing is suspended immediately and will return at an undetermined date. See hard copy in VF Santa Anita Park 2011-2020.
Security for Santa Anita Derby to be increased as the track continues its efforts to eradicate illegal drugs from the sport. Santa Anita Park will have security guards at the stalls of the nine entrants in the Derby, 72 hours in advance of the race.
Race horse Majestic Harbor, ridden by jockey Tyler Baze, wins the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Park yesterday. The Gold Cup was formerly known as the Hollywood Gold Cup when it was run at Hollywood Park race track.
Arcadia's Santa Anita Park main track to reopen today after rash of fatalities. Nineteen horses have died at Santa Anita Park Race Track since December 2018. Track surfaces are being tested.
Live horse racing returns Friday to Santa Anita Park. Major audio visual improvements mark significant investment in horse racing. The track is now offering more food choices and some unique craft beers.
California Philharmonic's debut at Santa Anita Park Race Track drew approximately 7000 guests. Featured music by Vanessa Carlton and conducted by Victor Vener.
Frank Stronach, chairman of MI Developments (MID), is requesting the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to allow additional racing days at Santa Anita Park and at his other track Golden Gate Fields. He wants the number of racing days to increase from 85 to 140 days per year, to run races when he thinks he'll get the most customers. In order for MID to maintain its license and run thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, the CHRB has asked the company to submit a business plan. The plan has been a secret even to some of the company's board members. In the meantime, repairs are being made at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the fall Oak Tree meet (photo).
The California Horse Racing Board has approved Santa Anita Park's plan to resurface its main track with dirt. The Pro-Ride synthetic surface will be replaced by the first week of December.
How Santa Anita Park became one of America's most popular horse racing venues. In 1907 the original Santa Anita Race Track opened, and 27 years later, the new Santa Anita Park, in the current location, was opened. Santa Anita Park has hosted famous races Santa Anita Handicap, Breeders' Cup, the 1984 Olympics equestrian events, and famous race horses Seabiscuit, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, John Henry, and American Pharoah (Pharoah is correct spelling). (American Pharaoh).
Opening day at Santa Anita Park stirs memories for Andrea Van de Kamp of Pasadena, shown in photo, with Gino Roncelli, Trinity Roncelli, Bingo Roncelli. History of the Santa Anita Park race track and memories by columnist Patt Diroll.
Westfield Santa Anita mall, Santa Anita Park race track, and other businesses cope with power outages and wind damage. Westfield Santa Anita mall was unable to open due to a widespread power outage although power was restored to the center's east end by 4:30 PM yesterday. Santa Anita Park was closed yesterday due to a power outage. The race track also sustained wind-related damage to the roof in its stable area and also had several uprooted trees. Huge, old trees were blown down in Arcadia.
Major traffic jams during Santa Anita Park Race Track's record breaking opening day. All parking lots were full by 12:20 PM on December 26, 2017. See also Mountain Views News, p. B1, December 30, 2017 opening day recap crowd of 40,000.
A drainage problem forced the cancellation of horse racing at Santa Anita Park since three inches of rain fell yesterday. The track has had to cancel racing 12 times since the synthetic track was installed two years ago. In 2006, the California Horse Racing Board banned dirt surfaces from thoroughbred tracks. Santa Anita Park has tried two synthetic tracks but the surfaces have not worked out. Officials announced they will replace the synthetic surface before the Oak Tree Meet in the fall.