Santa Anita Park will reduce its work force by merging departments. More than 100 full-time and seasonal positions will be affected--including some layoffs and some full-time positions becoming part-time positions, said Greg Avioli, CEO and President of Stronach Entertainment, the track's parent company. The shift to off-track betting and account wagering has brought less revenue to the race track.
Santa Anita Park race track attendance is on the upswing. It drew 40,810 on Friday, its biggest opening day turnout since 2011. On-track attendance was up 33% over last year, partly because of the free infield admission program, which drew more than 10,000 people. Total wagering, including bets placed from all over the country, rose nearly 30% to more than $17 million. On-site betting was more than $3.4 million. The City of Arcadia gets 1/3 of 1% of all on-site wagering.
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.
Faced with a shortage of thoroughbreds that has led to race cancellations, Santa Anita Park is exploring the option of stabling and training horses at Fairplex in Pomona, but a Fairplex official indicated this deal may not be happening anytime soon.
George Haines leaving as President of Santa Anita Park to head Southern California Off Track Wagering, Incorporated. Tom Ludt has been appointed the new President, effective April 7, 2014. Ludt was hired a year ago as Senior Vice President, Racing and Gaming-Stronach Group. See hard copy in VF Santa Anita Park 2011-2020.
Santa Anita Park kicks off racing season with new events and Hollywood tie-in to HBO television series "Luck." There is a new Luck Lounge and a new Kids Zone.
Santa Anita Park. No horse injuries but fewer fans in stands. On Santa Anita Derby Day, the track attendance was 30,713, the third smallest in the past 75 runnings of the Santa Anita Derby, about 5,000 below the recent average. Spate of equine deaths might have taken toll on attendance. Jockey Mike Smith (pictured) celebrates after riding Roadster to victory in the Santa Anita Derby. Animal welfare protesters were present, and attendance was down, but no racing injuries were reported.
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 opens today. It kicks off its 75th winter/spring meeting with its first post at noon. The 79-day race meeting continues through April 22.
Santa Anita Derby Millionaire contest returns to Santa Anita Park. Six contestants will get the chance to win $1,000,000 on one wager. The track will provide $1000 bets on each horse in the race. Whichever horse wins, the contestant keeps all the money and is assigned the same horse for the Kentucky Derby. If that horse goes on to win the Triple Crown by winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, that fan would win a one million dollar jackpot.
If race horse "California Chrome" wins the Belmont Stakes tomorrow to complete a Triple Crown sweep, then this could help the racing industry. The industry will try to turn attention attracted by the first Triple Crown in 36 years into a revival of the sport's popularity. Santa Anita Park executives hope a crowd of 30,000 will show up Saturday to watch the Belmont on TV screen. Betting at Santa Anita Park has declined 40% between 2002 and 2011 before ticking up the last two years.
Trouble at Santa Anita Park. According to figures taken from Equibase, Santa Anita Park's total handle was down $77.1 million, or 17.7% from a year ago. If the current trend continues, the track's all-sources handle could show a decline of more than $100 million for the 2010-2011 meet. George Haines, the president of Santa Anita Park, has other troubles, including some wet weather, a players' boycott, and the inconsistencies of a new dirt racing surface.
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 is making a bid for the 2012 Breeders' Cup. Former Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli has taken over as Chief Executive Officer of Stronach Entertainment, and now oversees Stronach Group's race tracks and other assets. Avioli's experience brings strength to Santa Anita Park's bid. Santa Anita Park last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2008 and 2009. The city of Arcadia gets one-third of 1 percent of all monies bet on the track. The event generated nearly $57,000 in betting handle in 2008 and nearly $58,000 in 2009 for the city.
And they're off…crowds turn out as Santa Anita Park opens 82nd year of horse racing. Turnout was 41,373, surpassing last year's opening day turnout of 40,023.
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).
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.
At least 300 tons of sand were added to the new all-dirt main track at Santa Anita Park, to correct the imbalance of sand to clay after 14.5 inches of rain fell over a 10-day period.
Santa Anita Park race track rejects request from state regulator California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to cancel its last six days of racing this season, in the wake of two more horse deaths over weekend.