Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC), owner of Santa Anita Park, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Santa Anita Park may be sold to pay off Magna's debts. Frank Stronach paid $126 million for Santa Anita Park in 1996. The track has three potential buyers, including a group from Asia.
Employees at Santa Anita Park fear bankruptcy of its parent company Magna Entertainment Corp (MEC). Chairman Frank Stronach said the horsemen would not have to worry about any of their monies. Paymaster accounts total $11 million at Santa Anita Park. The accounts contain money earmarked for winning owners, who must pay a percentage of those earnings to jockeys and trainers. Magna Entertainment Corp. has lost $500 million in the past 5 years.