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.
The 75th anniversary of Santa Anita Park was celebrated with festivities including a parade of Budweiser Clydesdales and the unveiling of sculptor Nina Kaiser's life-size bronze statue of the race horse John Henry. The article includes a list of people in attendance at the party in the Directors' Room.
AbilityFirst and Santa Anita Park held a fundraiser to benefit adults and children with disabilities. Pictured is jockey Kayla Stra atop Fred, a horse that appeared in the movie "Seabiscuit."
About 20 demonstrators organized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protested the perceived mistreatment of race horses in front of Santa Anita Park during the Breeders' Cup. Pictured is Natalie Stauffer of San Francisco.
About 500 Hollywood hopefuls participated in the casting calls for the film "Seabiscuit." Possible shooting locations include Santa Anita Park race track where Seabiscuit raced.
After a 13-hour meeting, Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to approve the outdoor mall to be built on the Santa Anita Park race track parking lot, a development known as The Shops at Santa Anita. Opponents may push a referendum and possibly file lawsuits to block the project.
Although Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) , the parent company of Santa Anita Park race track, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, the fate of the track's paymaster accounts remains uncertain. The bankruptcy judge could declare the $15 million, which was placed in the joint trust account, an asset of MEC and order it frozen.
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.
The Arcadia City Council has approved a design review process for the upcoming addition to the Santa Anita Park race track. The procedure adopted requires review by the Planning Commission and the City Council of all preliminary site plans, floor plans, exterior architectural improvements, and new construction.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously approved a proposal to allow Santa Anita Park to broadcast televised horse races and other events indoors until 1:30 AM.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to give the final approval on Rick Caruso's The Shops at Santa Anita mall. The City Council also approved an expansion project for the Westfield mall with one condition.
Arcadia's officials, harboring "serious concerns" about a massive expansion plan for the Santa Anita Park property, want to meet with owner Frank Stronach. An artist's rendering of the proposal is included.
Art Wilson writes about some of the famous names in Santa Anita Park's 75 year history, including Charlie Whittingham, Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Seabiscuit, Citation and John Henry.
Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, in an effort to increase bone marrow donations, took blood samples and registered volunteers at the Los Angeles County Health Fair and Senior Festival at Santa Anita Park.
Backers of an initiative that would bring slot machines to Santa Anita Park and other California racetracks now have five months to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Bankrupt Santa Anita Park race track will not go on the auction block Tuesday as planned because no acceptable opening bid has been offered. The sale of the track has been postponed. The track has court-sanctioned access to operating funds at least until the first quarter of next year.
Beginning July 14, Santa Anita Park's main track will be reconstituted with a mixture of Pro-Ride synthetic materials to replace its ill-fated Cushion Track.