Oak Tree Racing Association's 1996 season started with a bang on October 2. Patrons discovered a new look with the $3.5 million improvement programs completed over the summer at Santa Anita Park race track.
International businessman and horse owner Frank Stronach confirmed Tuesday that he and Meditrust, the parent company of Santa Anita Park, have signed a letter of intent under which he will buy the race track.
Meditrust will be selling Santa Anita Park race track at a lower price than the $400 million purchase price about a year ago. Due to laws changing in July, tax advantages are no longer available.
Santa Anita REAlty Enterprises has poured more than $78,000 into the campaign to defeat Measure M, the Nov. 5 ballot measure to give voters veto power over the development of an entertainment complex near the company's race track.
Karen Garr is one of 400 pari-mutual clerks behind the betting windows at Arcadia's Santa Anita Park. The 44 year old Arcadia resident has been close to the race track since 1969, when she started as a "pony girl" in the back stretch of Santa Anita Park.
The current phase of plans for the Santa Anita Park race track include a 1,200-seat restaurant, retrofitting to today's seismic standards, bringing the facility into compliance with ADA, and a terraced concrete apron in front of the grandstands.
The campaign over a controversial ballot measure to restrict development at Santa Anita Park race track is heating up, with two community groups coming out against the initiative and a new group being formed to support it. Measure M requires a majority vote of approval from Arcadia residents for any change in land use requested by Santa Anita.
Dr. Dino Clarizio, Medical Director for the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation, spends one day every week at the Clinic he helps operate at Santa Anita Park race track caring for race track personnel and their families.
City officials met with new Santa Anita Park owner Frank Stronach to discuss his plans for the race track. He wants to build a retail and entertainment village and an interactive horse racing theme park.