Santa Anita Park CEO, Mark Verge, resigns, after some criticism from California Horse Racing Board and a verbal altercation with trainer Bob Baffert's wife. George Haines, General Manager, is expected to run Santa Anita Park.
Santa Anita Park's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Verge, 44, a horse owner and entrepreneur, has big plans for the race track. He wants to expand its fan base, partly by reaching out to the local Asian community and to locals who grew up attending the track during the sport's heyday. While Santa Anita Park President George Haines is still running day-to-day operations, Verge will focus on bringing in more people, including celebrities, like actor Vince Vaughn.
Santa Anita Park on Verge of new era. New Santa Anita Park Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Verge will re-institute its "Free Fridays" promotion. Starting this Friday and every Friday for the rest of the meet, all fans will be given free grandstand admission and the price for hot dogs, sodas and beer will be cut to $2. Previous CEO Greg Avioli resigned earlier this month.
George Haines, the interim president of Santa Anita Park since Ron Charles resigned, will soon be named president. He takes the reins at a time of uncertainty and change at the track and in the horse racing industry. Some of the issues and challenges that Haines will face are discussed. Haines is 55 years old and started working for Santa Anita Park in 1972.
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.
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.
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.
Ron Charles, 61, who has been president of Santa Anita Park for 5 1/2 years, is resigning. His final day is today. General Manager George Haines will take over as interim president while MI Developments (MID) searches for a replacement.
Santa Anita Park at a crossroads. Racetrack remains profitable but a string of cancellations, fewer horses in the running, and off-track betting show problems in the backstretch.
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.
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 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.
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.
Breeders' Cup: racing's elite at the annual world championships this weekend at Santa Anita Park. See also commentary by Mark Whicker, p. B1, B7 and other Breeders' Cup coverage on p. B6.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced at L. A. Live, that the Breeders' Cup World Championships will return to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, in 2012. It will mark the sixth time that Santa Anita Park hosts the two-day event.
Arcadia's Santa Anita Park main track to reopen today after rash of fatalities. Nineteen horses have died at Santa Anita Park Race Track since December 2018. Track surfaces are being tested.
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).
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.