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Santa Anita, HRTV Offer Documentary Contest

Santa Anita Park in California and HRTV are sponsoring a first-ever non-fiction documentary competition entitled "A Day at the Races," which will be open to film students and filmmakers.

Santa Anita Showing Across-the-Board Gains

Santa Anita Park, which opened its winter/spring meeting with an on-track crowd of 44,579 on Dec. 26, posted a 21% increase in attendance and an 11% uptick in on-track handle through the first six days of its 79-day meet.

Santa Anita Offers Mobile Wagering to Patrons

On-track patrons at Santa Anita Park this season will be able to bet via mobile phone wagering application, the track announced Dec. 21.

Finalists Named for 2012 Woolf Jockey Award

Ramon Dominguez, Corey Lanerie, Martin Pedroza, DeShawn Parker, and Scott Stevens are the finalists for the 63rd annual George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2012, Santa Anita Park announced Nov. 23.

Santa Anita Announces Stakes Schedule

Led by the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on opening day Dec. 26, Santa Anita Park announced its 2011-12 stakes schedule which will include nine grade I events over the course of its 79-day meet which will conclude April 22.

Total Handle Jumps 8.7% at Santa Anita Meet

Santa Anita Park posted gains across the board during the recently concluded 24-day fall meet, led by an 8.7% jump in all-sources handle when compared to the corresponding days in 2009.

Caracortado: Lightning in a Bottle

Trainer Mike Machowsky took a chance when he decided to breed the unraced mare Mons Venus, but his leap of faith has already paid big dividends in the form of her graded stakes-winning son Caracortado.

Caracortado Posts Bullet Work at Santa Anita

Several horses posted their final workouts the weekend of Oct. 28-30 in preparation for the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II).

Santa Anita Earns Safety Accreditation

Santa Anita Park in California has been fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.

Breeders' Cup Hopefuls in Quick Workouts

Hopefuls for the Breeders' Cup World Championships were on the work tab Oct. 24 at Keeneland and Santa Anita Park, including Euroears, who scorched five furlongs in :56 3/5 at the Southern California racetrack.

Jockey Vergara Fourth in His Final Race

Octavio Vergara ended his career as a jockey with a fourth-place finish aboard Powerofvoodoo in the fourth race Oct. 14 at Santa Anita Park.

California Flag Fast and Furious in Morvich

California Flag became the first horse to win the Morvich Stakes (gr. IIIT) three times when he took the latest edition of the race by a half-length over Excessive Passion in a furious finish Oct. 10.

Santa Anita Website Targets Younger Audience

Santa Anita has has launched an alternate website, www.santaanitalive.com, in an effort to reach a broader, younger audience by offering a wide array of content, much of which is not horse racing-specific.

The Factor to Face Five in Ancient Title

George Bolton and Fog City Stable's The Factor will continue his preparations for the Breeders' Cup World Championships when he takes on five challengers in the Ancient Title Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 8 at Santa Anita Park.

Surgery on Banned Reportedly Goes Well

Multiple graded stakes winner Banned underwent surgery Sept. 24 and reportedly came out of it well, his owner said the following day.

Santa Anita Adds 50-Cent Player Pick 5 Wager

Santa Anita Park will offer California's newest exotic wager, the 50-cent Players' Pick Five, at the 2011 autumn meet that begins Sept. 30, the track announced.

Santa Anita Fall Meet Offers 13 Graded Stakes

Santa Anita Park will offer 13 graded stakes--six of them grade I-- during its 24-day fall meet that runs from Sept. 30-Nov. 6.

NYRA, Breeders' Cup Working Toward 2013 Deal

The New York Racing Association, which was unhappy Breeders' Cup chose Santa Anita Park over Belmont Park to host the 2012 World Championships, already is in discussions with the organization to be the 2013 host site.

Santa Anita to Host 2012 Breeders' Cup

As expected, Breeders' Cup Aug. 10 announced that Santa Anita Park in California will serve as the 2012 host site of the two-day World Championships.

Santa Anita Park Looms as 2012 BC Host Site

There is strong speculation the announcement of Santa Anita Park as the 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships host site will be made at a Los Angeles-based luncheon Aug. 10.

Santa Anita Fall Meet Begins Sept. 30

Santa Anita will race its first autumn meeting under the direction of the Los Angeles Turf Club when it opens for racing Sept. 30.

Does CA Breeders' Cup Hinge on Fall Dates?

California isn't expected to award 2012 racing dates until the fall, which makes for an interesting scenario as Breeders' Cup continues discussions on selection of a host site for next year's World Championships.

Stronach Group Takes Over Racing Properties

The Stronach Group has officially acquired the racing and gaming assets of MI Developments, a company once headed by Frank Stronach.

Santa Anita Handle Down in All Categories

Whether gross or average figures are used, pari-mutuel handle for the Santa Anita Park winter/spring was down, according to information compiled from various sources.

Fewer Runners Blamed for Santa Anita Declines

A decline in average daily handle ontrack and overall was caused by a low horse inventory. Average ontrack attendance remained steady with 2010 for the winter/spring meet.

'On-Track to Beat Cancer' Set for Santa Anita

Santa Anita Park and City of Hope announced March 31 a partnership that will unite the track's racing fans and the California racing industry in the fight against cancer.

MID Shareholders OK Deal With Stronach

Shareholders of MI Developments voted March 29 to end the company's "dual class share" structure and turn its racing-related holdings over to chairman Frank Stronach.

Santa Anita Returns to Four-Day Race Week

Santa Anita Park will return to a four-day race week beginning March 31, and will operate on a Thursday through Sunday schedule for the remainder of its winter/spring meeting which concludes April 17.

Tribute for Threewitts to be Held Feb. 25

Friends and family of the late Noble and Beryl Threewitt are invited to a special tribute for them to be held in the Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park following the conclusion of the races Feb. 25.

Santa Anita Unveils New Luxury Suite

Santa Anita Park officials unveiled the exclusive Arcadia Suite Feb. 18 at the Southern California track, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several area politicians.

Santa Anita Allocated Fall Race Dates by CHRB

The California Horse Racing Board allocated Santa Anita Park the fall racing dates previously operated by the Oak Tree Racing Association at its meeting Feb. 17.

Joel Rosario Gets Win No. 1,000

The Dominican Republic native rode his 1,000th winner at Santa Anita Park, where he is four wins behind Rafael Bejarano.

Santa Anita Notes: Cohen, Cedillo, Heap

Popular Santa Anita Park horn blower Jay Cohen expects to be gone from the Southern California track for about two weeks for surgery on a painful neck ailment.

CA Boycott Getting Noticed, Organizer Says

As California racetracks struggled into their second month of the 2010-11 season, the president of a horseplayers' group that is leading a boycott of the tracks said racing officials in the state are getting the point.

Uncle Mo Puts in First Work of 2011

Uncle Mo worked three furlongs in :39.95 at Palm Meadows Training Center. Stay Thirsty and J P's Gusto also worked Jan. 30.

No Easy Pickings in Sunshine Millions Turf

Two runners undefeated on the turf will face six others in a deep renewal of the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park Jan. 29.

Jewel Sent After Sunshine Distaff Heist

Evening Jewel, a finalist for 2010 champion 3-year-old filly, faces seven Cal- and Fla-breds in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff Jan. 25. The 1 1/16-mile race will be run over the new dirt surface at Santa Anita Park.

Ownership Seminars Hosted by TOC Jan. 22

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is offering a free seminar, on racehorse ownership at both Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields Jan. 22, each beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Santa Anita 'Feeling Way' With New Surface

There has been one racing fatality following a breakdown in the first eight days of competition on Santa Anita Park's new dirt track, according to the California Horse Racing Board equine medical director.

Santa Anita Names Stakes After Frankel

Santa Anita Park announced the Jan. 1 San Gorgonio Handicap (gr. II) has been renamed the Robert J. Frankel Memorial Handicap, in honor of the late Hall of Fame conditioner.

Report: Stronach to Give Up MID Real Estate

The Reuters News Service is reporting that owner-breeder Frank Stronach is working out a deal in which he would relinquish control of his real estate company in exchange for some of its racetrack assets.

Santa Anita Stakes Schedule Finalized

Santa Anita Park, which is returning to a natural dirt track this season, has added $450,000 to its 3-year-old program. The track opens for its winter/spring season Dec. 26, and will offer 46 graded stakes.

CHRB Grants Waivers to MI Developments

MI Developments received two waivers from the California Horse Racing Board Nov. 9 allowing it to move forward with the operation of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields and complete its new dirt track at Santa Anita.

Minor Makes Cash Offer on All MID Assets

Halsey Minor has made an offer to buy all MI Developments assets for $300 million to $320 million.

Zenyatta, John, and Me

Mac McBride tells his behind-the-scenes story of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic and Zenyatta.

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Jamgotchian Turns to Court in TOC Dispute

Horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian filed a court petition Oct. 7 seeking to force the Thoroughbred Owners of California to turn over the email addresses of its 9,512 members to him.

Stronach Offers to Buy All MID Stock

An entity controlled by the family of Frank Stronach has offered to purchase any or all of the outstanding stock it doesn't already own in racetrack operating company MI Developments.

Terms Given for Santa Anita Surface Waiver

The California Horse Racing Board said Sept. 7 it is working with Santa Anita Park management and horsemen on a waiver for the MI Developments-owned racetrack to replace its synthetic surface with dirt.

Bonuses Tied to Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

MI Developments announced Sept. 7 the Black-Eyed Susan 2.2, a bonus program similar to its Preakness 5.5 bonus unveiled in last August.

Stronach Calls Meeting With Calif. Horsemen

Frank Stronach, chairman of MI Developments and owner of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, has called a meeting with California horsemen Aug. 18 at Del Mar Surfside Race Place, the track's simulcast wagering facility.