California Fires Not Expected To Impact Breeders' Cup

Ongoing wildfires in California, which prompted California governor Gavin Newsom to issue a state of emergency for Sonoma and Los Angeles counties, are not expected to impact racing at Santa Anita Park this week and the corresponding Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 unless the fires come much closer to the Arcadia, Calif., track, officials said Oct. 28.

By midday Monday the closest fire to Santa Anita, approximately 30 miles away, was the Getty Fire, which broke out in the early morning hours along the 405 freeway in Los Angeles near the Getty Center. It then expanded in a southwestern direction, forcing evacuation of homes and the temporary closure of a section of the 405 freeway, local news outlets reported. 

Other major fires in the state include the Tick Fire, 45 miles northwest of Santa Anita, and the Kincade Fire in Northern California, located north of Santa Rosa, roughly 90 miles from Golden Gate Fields, another California racetrack.

"The fires aren't affecting Santa Anita at all," California Horse Racing Board equine medical director Rick Arthur said Monday morning. "They are affecting Golden Gate Fields somewhat. Just like in the other fires in the Sierras, the wind has a tendency to blow into the Bay Area and settle there."

No smell of smoke or any other after effects from the fire were apparent Monday morning at Santa Anita on a clear, crisp day in Southern California. The conditions were typical, except most on-track visitors were aware of the troubling conditions with news of the fires in the forefront.

Eoin Harty, trainer of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) contender Fair Maiden and president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said he was surprised it was so clear at Santa Anita given the relative close proximity of the track to the Kincade Fire. 

Wildfires in California have become increasingly common in recent years while periodically affecting the horse industry. Among the most tragic was the Lilac Fire in December 2017 that swept through San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall, killing 46 horses.

Complications from fires in the state have also deteriorated air quality, sometimes forcing the cancellation of racing. This occurred last year at Golden Gate, when racing was scrapped Nov. 16-17 due to smoke from the Camp Fire. 

Air quality and heat index are factors monitored by tracks and the CHRB to ensure equine and human safety, Arthur said.

Santa Anita, which will host the Breeders' Cup for a record 10th time this year, has seen fires threaten in its vicinity during prior Breeders' Cups, one of the most frightening occurring in 1993. That year a fire broke out along the San Gabriel Mountains to its immediate north in the days before the event, creating towering walls of smoke, though the fire was ultimately contained and the Breeders' Cup went off as scheduled.

Barring a shift in the winds, none are near as close this year as the 1993 fire.

"We're hopeful they've got it under control," said Tim Ritvo, CEO of The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita.