California Groups Work to Restore Racing at Santa Anita
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Horses race on the turf at Santa Anita Park
The Thoroughbred Owners of California, The Stronach Group, and the California Thoroughbred Trainers are working together to persuade the Los Angeles County Department of Health to rescind its March 27 order prohibiting live racing at Santa Anita Park to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Allowing the continuation of live racing does not present a health risk to the 1,000 plus workers on the backstretch who live in dormitories at the track and must be at the track every day to support live training of 1,700 horses every day," the TOC said in a March 29 post on its website.
The TOC noted that required care and exercise for animals is already deemed an "essential activity" and urged the county to send inspectors to Santa Anita to witness firsthand the safety and precautions in place.
"The revenue generated from continued live racing at Santa Anita is critical for the Thoroughbred ecosystem to keep these backstretch workers employed," the TOC's post continued. "If there is a prolonged period of no racing many of these jobs will certainly be eliminated and up to 1,000 people could be added to the current LA homeless problem."
Santa Anita Park closed its doors to the general public March 14 with attendance restricted to participating horsemen, racing officials, and limited track staff. Racing came to a halt Friday, the day that typically kicks off Santa Anita's three days of racing each weekend.
"What we are seeking is not extreme or without precedent," the post concluded. "All other counties in California where live racing is conducted have accepted these arguments and are allowing live racing to continue under the strict safety precautions that we also have at Santa Anita."
Live racing continues at Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco without spectators. TSG owns both racetracks.
The Department of Health reports to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. The TOC has encouraged its members to email the supervisor and current chair for the Fifth District, Kathryn Barger. The Fifth District includes Arcadia, Calif., where Santa Anita Park is located.