Santa Anita Park's Derby Day 5K race brings out over 5,500 runners, the largest turnout in the race's 20-year history. The 5K is a fundraiser, with approximately $10,000 raised for Arcadia Historical Museum, Arcadia High School and CARMA, an organization devoted to caring for retired horses.
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.
Arcadia City Council last week approved expanding the kinds of outdoor special events allowed at Santa Anita Park race track, and in the adjacent parking lot areas, including concerts, carnivals, and farmers markets. The change will allow the track to host the California Philharmonic summer concerts and possibly Cavalia, a Cirque du Soleil show. Councilman Roger Chandler said the amendments made to the city's municipal code allow a very large and underused piece of land, specifically the south parking lot, to be used and to generate additional income for the track.
CalPhil opens Festival on the Green summer concert series on June 30 with a concert featuring singer Vanessa Carlton, the USC Trojan Marching Band, and pyrotechnics, at Santa Anita Park. See hard copy in VF "Santa Anita Park 2011-2020."
Alice Wang will be inducted as 2012 Citizen of the Year and Santa Anita Park's Pete Siberell will be sworn in as 2012-2013 Chamber President at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner on April 19, 2012 at Santa Anita Park's elegant Chandelier Room.
A new HBO series called "Luck" starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte will begin filming in October at Santa Anita Park, during the Oak Tree meet. The pilot of "Luck" was filmed there too. "Luck" is a provocative look at horse racing--the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players," according to HBO. HBO is due to film at least two seasons of the series at Santa Anita Park, said Pete Siberell, director of special projects at Santa Anita Park.
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.
Aaron Sharp of Port Hueneme posted a time of 15:01 to win his third straight Santa Anita Derby Day 5K at Santa Anita Park last Saturday. It was the 20th anniversary of the race.
Santa Anita Park saves historic "100 to 1 Club" sign from the demolished bar of that name and refurbishes it for a new 100-to-1 Club at Santa Anita Park racetrack.
The television cable channel HBO filmed a pilot called "Luck" at Santa Anita Park last spring, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. The writer and producer is David Milch, who also wrote for the "Deadwood" television series. Santa Anita Park officials hope the pilot is picked up as a series. Its exposure on HBO could mean more revenue for the race track.
Joel Rosario's (photo) big return to Santa Anita Park a success. He rode racehorse Mind Your Biscuits to win the Malibu Stakes during opening day of Santa Anita Park's Winter Meet.
Live racing returns to Santa Anita Park for its Autumn Meet, which runs September 30-November 6, 2011. This fall features racing on Thursdays through Sundays.
Santa Anita Park's winter meet's opening day was yesterday. Photo shows horse Shared Belief, ridden by Mike Smith, who won the Malibu Stakes. See also p. B1 (same paper, same date). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 8, December 25, 2014.
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.