More than $1.2 million was bet across the state in the first 11 days that computer and telephone betting was approved in this state. It is known as account wagering. There is no way of telling yet if this is affecting attendance and live betting at Santa Anita Park. Two providers of online betting, XpressBet and TV Games, where approved by the California Horse Racing Board. Xpress Bet is owned by Magna Corp., which owns Santa Anita Park.
Two inches of hail forced the cancellation of races at Santa Anita Park yesterday. More rain is expected over the next few days. Maintenance on the Cushion Track will begin when the rain stops.
Santa Anita Park concluded its 2002-2003 season on April 20 with a total of more than $1 billion wagered during the 85-day meet. Average daily handle was $11.8 million, representing a decrease of approximately 2% from 2002.
Opening day of its 72nd season of thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita Park brought in 33,112 fans. Santa Anita Park officials were pleased with the turnout.
Two articles describe this coming weekend's Breeders' Cup race at Santa Anita Park. "Unbeaten Zenyatta already looks like a Classic choice," p. B1 and "Smart money may be on Einstein," p. B3.
George Schwary's horse Georgie Boy and jockey Garrett Gomez won the $150,000 Grade II San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita Park. Georgie Boy was trained by Kathy Walsh. Georgie Boy won last month's Sunshine Millions Spring.
Santa Anita Park has come up with two options to solve its drainage issues caused by the Cushion Track. Santa Anita Park president Ron Charles will announce his decision Thursday. Santa Anita had to cancel three consecutive days of horse racing for the first time in its 71-year history, due to heavy rainfall.
The Breeders' Cup will be raced at Santa Anita Park on November 6-7, 2009. It will be its second consecutive year and fifth time overall held at Santa Anita Park.
The 72nd $1 million Santa Anita Handicap is running today. Some of the top contenders are named Colonel John, Einstein, Cowboy Cal, Court Vision, and Matto Mondo. Helen Pitts is Einstein's trainer. Einstein is the son of horse Spend a Buck.
Lava Man, with exercise rider Tony Romero, takes a jog on the Santa Anita Park race track's new surface, a Cushion Track that cost more than $10 million.
Santa Anita Park president Ron Charles has announced it will continue to race on its Cushion Track this season. It will undergo some reformulation with polymer and fibers produced by Pro-Ride, an Australian company, so that it will drain properly.
Trainers and owners found to have sent injured or retired racehorses to slaughter will be banned from running or stabling horses at Santa Anita Park under a new policy from Magna Entertainment Corporation. Santa Anita Park President Ron Charles hopes to ensure the safety of its racehorses by monitoring injured or retired horses and keeping dealers known to sell horses for slaughter off the property. The policy was entered into the track's horseman's agreement, which governs racing terms and conditions.
Santa Anita Park cancelled horse racing Monday for the third consecutive day after 7-1/2-inches of rain fell on its Cushion Track, creating drainage problems.