Circus Vargas will be coming to Santa Anita Park for the first time this fall. It will run for 11 days starting Thanksgiving Day in the southwest parking lot. It is an animal-free circus.
Racing returns for Santa Anita Park's 2013 autumn meet. Racetrack unveils $15 million renovation including a renovated clubhouse mezzanine, horseshoe shaped bar, new food options, improved audiovisual experience.
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.
Santa Anita Park will be hosting the coveted 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships. The Stronach Group took full control of the race track from MI Developments at the end of June. The two-day event will generate some revenue for the city and bring a lot of exposure to the San Gabriel Valley.