Backstretch Workers Rally at Santa Anita Park

Dagoberto Lopez is putting his two children through college via his job at trainer Doug O'Neill's barn. He has cared for such horses as two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Goldencents  during his 35 years at the racetrack.

Lopez was one of several backstretch workers who spoke June 20 at a gathering at Clockers' Corner at Santa Anita Park as hundreds of workers congregated to bring attention to the importance of their jobs and the horse racing industry in California. They fear that in the wake of the equine fatalities this year at Santa Anita, animal welfare activists might succeed in their efforts to close the track and perhaps even shut down horse racing in California.

"I'm concerned about Santa Anita closing," said Lopez in Spanish. "Where will we go if Santa Anita closes? I love my job. The horses that I work with are very intelligent. I feel the horses under my care are like my family. I take care of them as if they were my children."

Many local television stations, both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking, covered the gathering. Oscar de la Torre, whose family has worked at Hollywood Park in the past, organized the program after talking with O'Neill.

"I was blessed enough to meet Oscar a month or so ago," O'Neill said. "We got to talking about horse racing, and he was shocked to read all the negativity. It's so cool and emotional to see all the workers and their families out here, trying to just have a voice. They haven't had a voice."

Many workers brought signs to Clockers' Corner, most in English but also some in Spanish. Sentiments included: "The horses are part of our family. We need each other!!!" "Santa Anita jobs help the economy." "77,000 jobs in California."

De la Torre thanked the media for coming and explained that workers had gathered "to tell a different story, an important story for us to understand in regards to the horse racing industry in the state of California, an industry that provides great opportunities." He added the backstretch workers fully support the equine safety measures Santa Anita has implemented.

"These people love horses and do everything in their power and everything they can to take care of the horses," said de la Torre.

Several backstretch workers spoke during the gathering, including trainers and employees. One of Lopez's sons, Jairo, spoke about how working for O'Neill at the track helped him become the person he is today, a student at Cal State Long Beach.

"I was around horses before I was able to walk," Jairo said. "I grew up here at the racetrack because my dad was always here. Thanks to this job, I have become a responsible person who always does the best that he is capable of doing."

Jairo spoke in both English and Spanish, while de la Torre translated for the elder Lopez and for trainer Jorge Periban. Periban spoke about his 36 years working at Santa Anita.

"This job is my passion," Periban said. "Thanks to this career, I have been able to take my family forward like many of the families that you see here today. We all depend on this career choice and this job. There are thousands of people who would be impacted if Santa Anita were to close."

The Stronach Group, owner of Santa Anita Park, issued a statement in support of the workers.

"Backstretch workers comprise the backbone of the racing industry and have been a willing partner in implementing the reforms we have proposed at Santa Anita Park—and the California Horse Racing Board implemented—during the course of this meeting," the statement read. "Support from these backstretch workers is a testament to the commitment from within the industry to modernize our sport. We look forward to working with the hundreds of backstretch workers at Santa Anita Park as we continue to move the industry forward and educate Californians on how impactful horse racing is to the state."

Periban also noted the number of backstretch workers who live at the racetrack, not only to care for the horses but also because of the high cost of housing in California.

"Many of the families would end up homeless if Santa Anita closed, and their housing would be taken away," Periban said.

De la Torre talked about the homeless crisis in the Los Angeles area, quoting figures of 59,000 who are reported to be currently homeless. He said that 77,000 jobs come directly from racing in California and 115,000 jobs indirectly.

Leandro Mora, O'Neill's primary assistant, also spoke. Like Lopez, he is putting two children through school.

"All this comes from the racetrack thanks to these beautiful animals," Mora said. "We do not like to lose one single animal. We love them all—those are our kids."