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St Trinians Back to Defend Santa Maria Title

St Trinians will return off a lengthy layoff to face six fillies and mares in the $150,000 Santa Maria Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 12 at Santa Anita.

Price Sensitive - By Eric Mitchell

Raising takeout is risky considering racing's place in the world of gambling.

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Chenery Visits Santa Anita On Vox Populi Day

Several hundred fans lined up well into Seabiscuit Court at Santa Anita Feb. 5 for a glimpse of Penny Chenery and Team Zenyatta on a day the 2010 Horse of the Year was to receive the first Secretariat Vox Populi Award.

Blake Heap Home After Being Injured in Mishap

Outrider Blake Heap, also a longtime Southern California trainer, was at his Monrovia home Feb. 3, five days after suffering multiple injuries in a training mishap at Santa Anita five days earlier.

Former Woolf Winner Bill Harmatz Dies

Retired jockey Bill Harmatz, who won the prestigious Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1960, died Jan. 28 at his home in Vista, Calif.

Jockey Martin Garcia Set to Return to Action

Jockey Martin Garcia, arriving from Mexico following an absence of more than two months, worked five horses at Hollywood Park on the morning of Jan. 22, agent Jim Pegram reported.

Bourbon Bay Tastes Success in San Marcos

David and Jill Heerensperger's Bourbon Bay begins another assault on Santa Anita's distance events on grass with a win in the San Marcos

Santa Anita Plans to Adjust Track Composition

Santa Anita's track maintenance team plans to adjust the composition of the main track Jan. 18 to bring it back to the mix of sand, clay, and silt that it was before the region received several rainstorms in late December.

Tapizar Serves Notice in Sham Romp

Sent off as the even-money favorite Jan. 15, the son of Tapit proved he is a serious 3-year-old when he won his stakes debut in the $100,000 Sham (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park.

Square Eddie Sets Track Record in Return

Square Eddie came out of retirement of more than a year to not only win the $59,000 Phone Trick Purse, but break the 6 1/2-furlong track record at Santa Anita Jan. 14.

Jamgotchian Plans to Race in California Again

California horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian says he is planning to race again in the state after an absence of about two years due to his dislike of synthetic tracks and the policies of the California Horse Racing Board.

Tapizar, Uncle Sam Take Next Step in Sham

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Tapizar will be the likely favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Sham Stakes (gr. III) based off his dominating 10 1/2-length maiden victory in November at Churchill.

California Nectar Sweet Choice in Santa Ynez

California Nectar, fresh off a score in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes for state-breds, heads a field of seven fillies racing for the first time as 3-year-olds in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita.

Sidney's Candy Looks Tough in San Fernando

Sidney's Candy, who ended his terrific 3-year-old season with a romp in the Sir Beaufort (gr. III) last month, will be a heavy favorite when he gets his 4-year-old campaign underway in the San Fernando (gr. II) Jan. 15

May Day Rose Takes Uneventful Santa Ysabel

In what amounted to little more than a paid workout, Kaleem Shah's highly-regarded 3-year-old filly May Day Rose handled a pair of rivals to win the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park.

And They're Off: New Year's Edition

Lenny and Steve discuss the Robert J. Frankel Stakes, the breathalyzer tests at Gulfstream Park, and remember Edward Evans. Plus, comments from Bob Baffert on the new dirt at Santa Anita.

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Jeranimo Overpowers in the San Gabriel

Second-choice Jeranimo Overpowers Six Rivals in the San Gabriel; The Usual Q. T. finishes third.

Successful Opening Day for Santa Anita

With a new track surface in place, Santa Anita Park opened the doors for its 74th winter/spring meet Dec. 26 with 34,268 fans in attendance for a nine-race program that included four stakes.

New Dirt Racing Era Dawns at Santa Anita

Canadian-based trainer Robertino Diodoro has always wanted to win a race at Santa Anita. On opening day, Dec. 26, he not only won his first race there, he won the very first race on Santa Anita's new dirt surface.

New Santa Anita Surface Survives Latest Storm

Despite being pounded by rain for a fourth consecutive day, Santa Anita's new natural dirt main track opened for training with sunshine and partly cloudy skies on the morning of Dec. 23.

Santa Anita Season Opens With Anticipation

Santa Anita Park unveils its new natural dirt track Dec. 26 with a quality nine-race card that includes the $250,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I), which drew a well-balanced field of 11 3-year-olds.

New Santa Anita Dirt Handles Record Rainfall

Santa Anita's new traditional dirt track received its initial baptism of record rainfall that is ongoing in the Los Angeles area and has weathered the storm well as opening day, Sunday, Dec. 26, draws near.

Asmussen Plans 30-Horse String at Santa Anita

Steve Asmussen, winner of the Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding trainer the past two years, is planning a 30-horse stable during Santa Anita's winter/spring meeting that begins Dec. 26.

Training Begins on New Santa Anita Surface

Santa Anita opened its new dirt track to horses the morning of Dec. 6. With most horses still stabled across town at Hollywood Park, few horses galloped on the new surface, which is a mixture of 90% sand and 10% clay.

Training on Santa Anita Dirt Begins Dec. 6

Santa Anita Park will begin training on its new, all-natural dirt main track on Monday, Dec. 6 in advance of its traditional opener on Dec. 26.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (6)

Another look at some of the issues of the day, post-Breeders' Cup.

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Stronach Replaces Mills as MID CEO

Prominent Thoroughbred breeder-owner Frank Stronach has taken over as chief executive officer of MI Developments, the racetrack operating company of which he is already chairman.

One for the Road - By Evan Hammonds

Let's hope Breeders' Cup takes its show on the road in 2012 and beyond.

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'Luck' Resumes Production at Santa Anita

With the pilot for HBO's highly anticipated "Luck" already complete, production for season-one will resume at Santa Anita Oct. 31. Both the pilot and first season are scheduled to air in the fall of 2011.

Santa Anita Starts Surface Replacement

Removal of Santa Anita's synthetic surface began Oct. 11 as the first step in replacing it with a dirt surface. Track officials are close to deciding the mix of materials to be used as the surface material.

Santa Anita to Begin Pro-Ride Removal Oct. 11

While track officials and horsemen make their final decisions on the composition of Santa Anita's new dirt racing surface, crews are to begin removal of the existing Pro-Ride synthetic material Oct. 11.

Split Verdict in Magna Simulcast Fees Case

A federal bankruptcy judge has ruled that simulcast providers owed money from tracks operated by bankrupt Magna Entertainment are entitled to funds they paid bettors but not reimbursement for fees and commissions.

Harper Wants Breeders' Cup, to Keep Polytrack

As Del Mar closed its 2010 race meeting, Joe Harper, CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, discussed the possible new horizons of California racing.

And They're Off: August 25, 2010

Lenny and Steve discuss the return of dirt to Santa Anita, Blind Luck and Evening Jewel, upcoming races, and more.

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Some Real Dirt

One thing we do know is the synthetic surface installed at Santa Anita has been a mess from the start and has seen more facelifts than Joan Rivers.

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Dirt, a Real Sportsman, and Weekend Racing

Breeders' Cup chat looks at dirt at Santa Anita, Jerry Hollendorfer and Blind Luck, and weekend racing.

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Stronach: Santa Anita to Have Dirt Main Track

Santa Anita is about to become the first California racetrack to abandon the 2006-mandated synthetic surface experiment and return to dirt.

Oak Tree Headed for Hollywood After All

The Oak Tree Racing Association appears to be on the move once again after horsemen refused to go along with holding the fall meeting at Santa Anita over concerns with the main track's condition.

Santa Anita Track Repair Discussed at Meeting

Amid concerns about track safety, horsemen representatives and Santa Anita management met the morning of Aug. 6 to discuss progress on renovation of the Pro-Ride synthetic racing surface that began July 26.

Hollywood Park Plans to Race Through 2011

Hollywood Park plans to race through the 2011 calendar year, track president Jack Liebau said.

More Dates Sought for MID California Tracks

Citing the American concept of free enterprise, the owner of Santa Anita and Golden Gate racetracks is seeking more dates and the right to choose when to conduct live racing.

HBO OKs First Season for Racing Drama 'Luck'

Cable network Home Box Office has approved a new series, "Luck," a cutting-edge depiction of life on the racetrack, for an inaugural season with shooting to commence at Santa Anita either this fall or early in 2011.

Charles Resigns as President of Santa Anita

Ron Charles, who has served as president of Santa Anita's Los Angeles Turf Club since 2004, has resigned. His last day will be May 19.

Magna Reorganization Plan Implemented

The bankruptcy reorganization plan for Magna Entertainment that includes the transfer of Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Golden Gate to MID Developments has been implemented, effective at 5:01 p.m. (EDT) April 30.

Santa Anita Handle Dips 11% as Season Ends

Overall daily average handle for the 78-day Santa Anita meeting declined 11% as its 75th winter-spring stand came to an end on April 18, the Arcadia track reported.

Top Santa Anita Jockeys to Sign Autographs

Top jockeys at Santa Anita Park will hold an autograph session for fans on closing day of the 75th anniversary meet April 18.

CHRB Files Objection to Magna Creditor Plan

The California Horse Racing Board disputes more than $3 million that it contends belonged to off-track wagering entities when Magna Entertainment Corp. filed for bankruptcy one year ago.

BC Nominated for Sports Event of the Year

The Breeders' Cup World Championships has been selected as a nominee in the sports event of the year category for the 2010 Sports Business Awards presented by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily

Will Weight Disadvantage Stop Zenyatta?

The undefeated mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds March 13 when she makes her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

Zenyatta Weighted at 127 For Santa Margarita

Zenyatta, who will make her first start of the year March 13 in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, will carry top weight of 127 pounds in the race.