2 articles. 1. Racing returns at Santa Anita. The historic Santa Anita racetrack reopened Friday for racing amid concerns for horse safety and the future of the track and the industry. There were no deaths in eight races Friday, which had been closed for racing since March 5.
2. Back in the saddle: racing resumes without incident after 26-day closure.
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.
Admiration is Justify-able. Horse racing's newest and still undefeated Triple Crown Winner returns to home turf Santa Anita Park for a victory lap. The Triple Crown means winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Although The Pamplemousse and Pioneer of the Nile are favored to win the Santa Anita Derby, a third choice, Chocolate Candy, could cause an upset. Chocolate Candy is the son of Candy Ride. Chocolate Candy is owned by Jenny Craig and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.
And they're off…crowds turn out as Santa Anita Park opens 82nd year of horse racing. Turnout was 41,373, surpassing last year's opening day turnout of 40,023.
Another horse dies at Santa Anita Park, the twenty-sixth fatality since December 26. Kochees, a 9-year-old gelding, injured in Saturday's sixth race, had to be euthanized.
Arcadia businesses are eager for extended race season at Santa Anita Park to increase their own business. The live racing season will be extended by 11 weeks next year, through July 5, pending approval of California Horse Racing Board, due to the closure of Betfair Hollywood Park in Inglewood.
Arcadia. Is horse racing addicted to drugs? Medication use is widespread, and critics say it contributes to deaths like those at Santa Anita Park. Half of the three dozen horses that died at Santa Anita Park in the 12 months before the current meet were on at least one anti-inflammatory medication, a major focal point in the investigation into equine deaths at the racetrack. Critics argue overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs, masks the injuries of horses and increases the chances of a fatal breakdown. The California Horse Racing Board’s research indicates 90% of breaks stem from preexisting injuries. Animal rights organizations say these medications likely contributed to the deaths of 23 horses at Santa Anita Park since the season began December 26, 2018.
Art Wilson recaps the Santa Anita Handicap "Big 'Cap" race that took place yesterday. Included is a photo of race horse "Misremembered" and jockey Martin Garcia, who won the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap.
Assembly Bill 2414 is a gambling bill that, as originally introduced, would have increased takeouts--the money race tracks make on given bets. The bill's original language would have permitted any California race track hosting the Breeders' Cup to spend the extra takeout money on promotion of the annual event. Supporters hope that portions of the bill would convince the Breeders' Cup to permanently settle in California. Late amendments inserted last week are stirring up controversy. These changes would make a form of gambling known as "exchange betting" legal in California, essentially allowing horse players to bet against one another by setting their own odds and potentially betting on horses to lose a race. MI Developments opposes the exchange betting portion of the bill.
Back on track. Santa Anita Park resumes racing today, still minus spectators and with several precautions. The last time there was racing was March 27, when the track was shut down by Los Angeles County Health Department to slow the spread of coronavirus. Some of the most important protocols include: restricted zone that will house jockeys, valets and essential personnel, all trainers, employees and essential racing personnel must wear face cloths covering their nose and mouth and practice social distancing, all trainers, employees and essential racing personnel must wear a race-day wristband signifying they passed the daily health screening.
Bay Area horse racing track Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco to close permanently later this year. After the Golden Gate Fields meet ends, The Stronach Group said it will focus on moving horses from the Bay Area to Arcadia, with a goal of increasing field sizes and adding a fourth day of racing to the weekly schedule at Santa Anita Park, beginning in January. See hard copy in VF. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 28, July 20, 2023.
Betfair Hollywood Park to cease horse racing. Santa Anita Park is positioning itself to pick up racing dates in 2014. Hollywood Park opened June 10, 1938, by motion picture moguls Jack and Harry Warner, of Warner Bros. fame.
Bob Baffer, horse trainer, is denied stay of suspension by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He has been suspended for 90 days, effective March 8 through June 5, and was fined $7,500. He was trainer of Medina Spirit, a horse that is now deceased but tested positive for the steroid betamethasone following the Kentucky Derby last May 1. Medina Spirit was stripped of the Kentucky Derby crown and collapsed and died on December 6, 2021 of a heart attack after a trianing run at Santa Anita Park.