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Longer Meets, Help for Owners Suggested

A desire for longer meets at racetracks is among the prominent themes derived from comments submitted to MI Developments vice president Dennis Mills as part of a contest at his RacingFuture.com website.

Santa Anita Closes Track For Repairs

Santa Anita Park began repair work on its synthetic main track on July 26 and embarked upon significant scheduled maintenance of its stable area as well.

Oak Tree Eyes Del Mar as Future Home

A day after the Oak Tree Racing Association received a one-year reprieve from its landlord at Santa Anita Park, its executive vice president said he's working on a long-term lease arrangement for the autumn meet at Del Mar.

Santa Anita Adds New Wrinkle to Oak Tree Mess

The chief executive of the company that now owns Santa Anita Park said installation of a new main track would prevent Oak Tree from using the facility in 2010.

Magna Cum Loud - By Lenny Shulman

Why does Frank Stronach still want to own tracks in California?

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Haines Takes Reins as Santa Anita President

As was announced May 20 by MI Developments, longtime Santa Anita Park general manager George Haines has been named interim president of the track and will oversee all of MID's California racing operations.

CHRB Chairman Blisters MID for Recent Actions

The California Horse Racing Board got an opportunity to address recent actions of the state's newest track owner, MI Developments, at its May 20 meeting.

Amid Turmoil, KY Lawmaker Makes Case for BC

As Breeders' Cup considers a future host site schedule complicated by recent actions in California, a Kentucky lawmaker has reiterated the state's favorable tax climate in hosting the World Championships.

MID Affirms Support for California Racing

In view of the recent announcement that the Oak Tree Racing's lease to conduct a fall meet at Santa Anita Park had not been renewed, MI Developments issued a statement May 18 reaffirming its support for California racing.

MEC Reorganization Plan Approved by Judge

A Delaware Bankruptcy Court judge April 26 confirmed a reorganization plan submitted by Magna Entertainment Corp., parent company MI Developments, and a committee of unsecured MEC creditors.

NYRA: BC Needs Belmont, Rotation of Tracks

New York Racing Association officials have asked Breeders' Cup to consider Belmont Park has the 2011 host site for the World Championships, and also said a three- or four-track rotation best serves the event.

'Luck' Producer Donates to CA Charity

David Milch, who is currently involved in shooting the HBO pilot "Luck" at Santa Anita, will donate $10,000 to the Arcadia Campership Program, which provides financial assistance to young people for recreational activities.

Santa Anita Rolls With Earthquake During Race

A 6.9 earthquake centered approximately 175 miles south of Santa Anita Park had no effect upon a field of seven horses running one mile on turf during the tremblor April 4.

Officials: Track Consistency, Maintenance Key

As people rush to takes sides in the great dirt-versus-synthetic surface debate, Dr. Mick Peterson and Santa Anita Park track superintendent Richard Tedesco suggested consistency and maintenance trump type of surface.

Sanan, Breeders' Cup Back Away From Comments

Satish Sanan and Breeders' Cup backed away from statements made March 2 that indicated the organization is close to picking permanent host site.

Bortstein Memorial Service Set for Feb. 24

Longtime turf writer Larry Bortstein will be remembered at the Frontrunner Restaurant at Santa Anita.

Quisisana Takes Millions F&M Sprint by a Nose

Stalking Quisisana took advantage of a heated pace duel to register her first stakes victory by a nose over streaking Dubai Majesty in the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Jan. 30.

Sunshine Millions Dilemma: Classic or Turf?

Trainer David Fawkes is one of seven horsemen on both coasts that have big decisions to make in the days ahead with horses pre-entered in both the Sunshine Millions Turf and Sunshine Millions Classic

And They're Off: Eclipse Awards Recap

Lenny and Steve review the Eclipse Awards and present the top 10 real reasons that Zenyatta is returning to the races.

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New Surface for Santa Anita Later This Year

Santa Anita Park officials have indicated the California track's main racing surface will be replaced, but it remains to be seen if the new surface will be synthetic or dirt.

Taking Control: Azeri's First Foal Wins Debut

Son of A.P. Indy scores by 1 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita Park.

Zenyatta Highlights Santa Anita Opening Day

Santa Anita Park, which opened on Dec. 25, 1934, will celebrate its 75th anniversary season beginning with opening day, Saturday, Dec. 26, with a special early first post time of 11:30 a.m. PDT.

Santa Anita to Unveil Statue of John Henry

A life-sized bronze statue of the legendary John Henry will be unveiled by his Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally at Santa Anita Park's picturesque paddock gardens Dec. 26, opening day of the track's 75th anniversary meet.

BC Revenue Down; Loss Less Than Expected

Breeders' Cup expected a loss of about $5.6 million this year, but with 2009 coming to an end, it appears the loss will be closer to $1.3 million.

Oak Tree Handle, Attendance Decline

The Oak Tree Racing Association, which for the second year in a row hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships, reported double-digit declines in attendance and handle during the 31-day meet at Santa Anita Park that ended Nov. 8.

Sunshine Millions Returns With Reduced Purses

The popular Sunshine Millions, which was designed to match the best California-bred horses versus the best bred Thoroughbreds from Florida, will return to both Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30 with $1.8 million in purses at stake.

'Sweet' Victory in the Ladies Classic

Pam and Martin Wygod's locally-based Life is Sweet rallied from last on the far turn, engulfed the field in the stretch and drew away to a three-length victory in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park.

Breeders' Cup Weather and TV Schedule

Great weather is expected for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will air on ESPN2 Nov. 6, and ABC and ESPN on Nov. 7.

Gayego Will Be in His Niche in the BC Sprint

Gayego competed in two legs of the 2008 Triple Crown and captured the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at 1 1/8 miles, but "we think we've found a niche for him in sprint races being a closing sprinter," said Rick Mettee, a key assistant to Godolphin Racing trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Noble's Promise: 'It Isn't Just a Dream'

When Noble's Promise won the Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 10, it seemed too good to be true for some of his owners. Now, they are back at the Breeders' Cup for a second consecutive year.

Fatal Bullet Gunning for Sprint Win

Reade Baker, the trainer of Fatal Bullet, has a message for Zensational, the 7-5 morning line favorite in the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), and the rest of the field: We're ready, and we're going to run hard.

Gomez 3-1 Choice to Get Most BC Victories

Garrett Gomez is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the new Breeders' Cup Jockey Bet Nov. 6-7 at Santa Anita Park. The line was set based on mounts the jockeys have in the 14 World Championships events.

Juvenile: Lookin At Lucky 8-5 From Post 13

Undefeated Lookin At Lucky drew the outside post 13 but was made the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $2-million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Forever Together Favored for F&M Turf Repeat

Forever Together, winner of last year's $2-million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), is the 5-2 morning-line favorite to repeat in the event Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park.

Kodiak Kowboy, Two Others Withdrawn

The Breeder's Cup World Championships experienced its first defections Nov. 2 with the withdrawal of three horses from consideration. They are Kodiak Kowboy, Allicansayis Wow, and Dave in Dixie.

Santa Anita Bid Timetable Set; Talks Continue

After failing to attract a qualified bid for Santa Anita Park this summer, bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. is prepared to try it again early next year. Meanwhile, a committee of horse owners from the Thoroughbred Owners of California is continuing to negotiate the purchase of the picturesque 303-acre racetrack, site of the 2009 Breeders' Cup.

Loaded Juvenile May Offer Some Value

The presence of the most accomplished United States-based colts thus far and a strong contingent from Europe should spell value for those who wager on the Nov. 7 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.

Change of Plans: Kodiak Kowboy to BC Sprint

Canadian champion and two-time grade I winner Kodiak Kowboy will be entered in the Nov. 7 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park even though his experience on synthetic tracks is limited and he has enjoyed his greatest success on dirt.

Oak Tree to Cut Purses 10%

Citing a sluggish local and national economy as primary factors, the Oak Tree Racing Association announced Oct. 21 that overnight purses will be cut 10%, effective Oct. 24.

Breeders' Cup Host-Site Plan in the Works

Breeders' Cup management is working on a five- to 10-year rotation of racetracks to serve as host sites for the World Championships.

Woolley: Don't Count Out Mine That Bird

Chip Woolley Jr. sees the glass as half full for Mine That Bird in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) during Santa Anita Park's Oak Tree meeting Nov. 7.

Kaenel Retires from Race Riding

Jockey Kyle Kaenel has retired due to extensive injuries the 21-year-old Oceanside, N.Y., native suffered in a riding spill at Fairplex Park in Southern California Sept. 27.

TV Schedule Set for BC Challenge Stakes

Breeders' Cup announced Sept. 14 that ESPN will televise three days of Breeders' Cup Challenge stakes in October in advance of the Nov. 6-7 World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Jackson Reaffirms No Breeders' Cup for Rachel

The Breeders' Cup board of directors Sept. 11 said the organization will increase the purse of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by $1 million if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start in the 1 1/4-mile event Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Auction of Santa Anita, Lone Star Withdrawn

An auction scheduled Sept. 8 on properties owned by bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. will not go forward after the company withdrew Santa Anita Park, Lone Star Park, and other assets from the bidding in court documents filed in U.S. bankruptcy court.

Colored Saddle Cloths for Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup will use the standard colored saddle towel system for horses competing in the 2009 World Championships races at Santa Anita Park.

California Lottery Game, BC Classic Linked

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) will be linked with a California Lottery promotion, officials announced Aug. 3.

Countdown to the Cup: Hidden Gem

Are you looking for an early Volponi for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)? Well, you just might have seen him on Saturday...on the grass...finishing second. When it comes to the hard-knocking Awesome Gem, who has his good days and his bad days, I can't help hearing Ralph Kramden (yes, I'm a Honeymooners fanatic): "One of these days...one of these days - "Bang! Zoom!"

Santa Anita, Via Facebook, Says Frankel Ill

Santa Anita Park has created a "Bobby Frankel Get Well Soon!!!" group on the Internet social networking site Facebook.

TOC Among Interested Santa Anita Bidders

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is among the interested bidders in Santa Anita Park, an organization official confirmed.