Zenyatta, Lava Man to Walk of Champions

Racing Hall of Famer Lava Man and future Hall of Famer Zenyatta will be added to the Arcadia Historical Society's Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions in a ceremony May 24.

The celebration, honoring inductees from 2015 and 2016, will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

Along with the two equine stars, jockey Chris McCarron, trainers Gary Jones, Ron McAnally, Mike Mitchell, and Mel Stute, and breeder/owner Buddy Johnston's Old English Rancho also will be honored. Victor Espinoza, the only active jockey to have won racing's Triple Crown, will receive special recognition for his achievements in the sport and community service.

Proceeds from the celebration will fund the placement of engraved informational bronze plaques in the sidewalks of downtown Arcadia. With the opening of the new Arcadia station of the Metro System Gold Line in March 2016, more attention than ever will be drawn to the business district adjacent to Santa Anita Park.  

In addition to the Walk of Champions, several other Thoroughbred racing charities will be beneficiaries of the gala, including California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation (which serves the backstretch community with health services), Winners Foundation (providing confidential assistance for troubled members of the community), and California Thoroughbred Foundation (dedicated to the advancement of equine research and education).

Santa Anita is the Founding Sponsor of the Walk of Champions.