Breeders' Cup Plans to Stay at Santa Anita for 2019

After a meeting of its Board of Directors June 27 in Lexington, Breeders' Cup affirmed by unanimous decision its commitment to conduct the 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Nov. 1-2.

This will mark the 10th time the event has been held at Santa Anita, the most of any venue over the 36-year history of the Breeders' Cup. Concerns have been raised after 30 horses died in racing or training during the Dec. 26-June 23 Santa Anita meet.

Breeders' Cup president and CEO Craig Fravel said the organization was encouraged by the decisive steps taken by Santa Anita owner The Stronach Group, horsemen, and the California Horse Racing Board to address the equine safety issue.

"Foremost among the core values of the Breeders' Cup are the safety and integrity of the competition, and we hold ourselves, our host sites, and our competitors to the highest standards of both. It is clear that meaningful and effective reforms and best practices have been implemented in recent months at Santa Anita through the collective efforts of The Stronach Group, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, and the California Horse Racing Board," Fravel said. "We fully embrace those reforms and will devote our time and energy in the coming months to further advance those efforts. We look forward to showing the world the best in Thoroughbred racing at one of its finest venues."

The recently concluded meet saw the cancellation of nearly a month's worth of racing in March, a total of 20 race dates. When racing resumed March 29, the track, horsemen, and CHRB worked together to put in place new standards aimed at improving equine safety. 

Some of those changes included cutting the maximum dosage of race-day Lasix in half, complete transparency of all veterinary records, strict limitations on the use of any pain or anti-inflammatory medication and treatment, requiring trainers to apply for permission to work a horse at least 48 hours in advance, and significantly increased out-of-competition testing.

Belinda Stronach, chairman and president of The Stronach Group, said the track owner will continue to work to improve safety for horses and riders. She noted that the reforms have been a group effort.

"Thank you to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors for their support today in reaffirming their commitment to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita this November," Stronach said. "Santa Anita and The Stronach Group remain steadfast in our commitment to put the health and safety of the horses and riders above all else, and we are pleased that the Breeders' Cup board recognizes and shares in that goal. We also thank our state's industry stakeholders, including the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the California Horse Racing Board, along with the hard-working men and women who work directly with the horses, and those employees who take care of our customers, for embracing the reforms that have been put in place this winter at Santa Anita as we collectively work towards making California racing the safest and best in the world."

Two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert was glad to see Breeders' Cup keep the event at Santa Anita, noting the improvements.

"I think it's great for California racing. It gives us a chance to show people it's the most beautiful racetrack in America. I think it will be great," Baffert said. "Every Breeders' Cup held at Santa Anita has been a great scene. It's our chance to show off Santa Anita.

"We had something happen to us that nobody was prepared for, and it happened so fast. I believe having the Breeders' Cup will bring back the normalcy California needs, and I'm glad the Breeders' Cup felt that way. Santa Anita is very important for the industry to survive and stay healthy. I think everyone learned from this winter. It's a different world we live in, and I think we've all learned and things will continue to get better."

Trainer John Sadler, who won last year's Breeders' Cup Classic with Accelerate , also endorsed keeping the World Championships at Santa Anita.

"We're very pleased to hear it. We think Santa Anita is a great venue, and the Breeders' Cups in the past here have been sensational. We've got great weather. We've got the infrastructure to handle a big event like the Breeders' Cup. I'm glad there was no change," he said.

Sadler called the decision "an uplifting day for California racing."

"We've had a tough winter and a lot of bad publicity, but I think some of the tide is turning. We got some great news yesterday that Dr. Greg Ferraro is going on the California Horse Racing Board. He's very respected, and that's a tremendous appointment," he said. "As far as Santa Anita is concerned, we're looking for better things as we move forward. This is a week of taking a deep breath with the meet being over, and everyone is looking forward to getting to Del Mar, which is beautiful racing at this time of year. It's been a tough time—there's no discounting that. But I think everyone is looking ahead."

Equine safety at Santa Anita improved after the changes were made. Since racing restarted March 29 under the new rules, there were five equine deaths during racing from 2,679 starts—1.87 per 1,000 starts. That rate is below last year's rate at Santa Anita's winter-spring meet of 2.04 and comparable to the North American rate of 1.68. The equine deaths per starts is the standard measured by the industry's Equine Injury Database, which in 2019 will track 98% of North American starts.

The state's racing regulator, the CHRB, believes important changes have been made.

"We're certainly pleased that the Breeders' Cup recognizes the improvements and safety measures made collectively by the governor's office, California Horse Racing Board, The Stronach Group, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the California Thoroughbred Trainers," said CHRB chairman Chuck Winner. "The newest measures, along with earlier ones (safety initiatives, review panel), gave Breeders' Cup officials confidence that we in California are doing our very best to protect racehorses and their riders. California hosted the first Breeders' Cup in 1984 and has been a mainstay of the program by hosting 13 Breeders' Cups through 2018 - nine of them at Santa Anita. We look forward to working with all involved in making the state's 14th Breeders' Cup as safe and successful as possible."

Santa Anita is scheduled to again offer live racing beginning Sept. 26. That fall meet concludes Nov. 3, one day after the two-day World Championships.

In August 2018, Breeders' Cup announced sites for its World Championships through 2021. After Santa Anita hosts this year, the event goes to Keeneland—which hosted its first Breeders' Cup in 2015—Nov. 6-7, 2020. Then Del Mar—a first-time host in 2017—gets the event back Nov. 5-6, 2021.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association applauded the decision.

"The NTRA fully supports the decision of the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors to affirm its commitment to host the 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 1-2," said NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop. "California regulators, racetrack operators, owners, and horsemen have worked together to institute significant and effective reforms, and we will lend our assistance in all capacities to ensure this year's two-day event is a rousing success."

Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason also supported keeping the event at Santa Anita.

"Keeneland fully supports the decision of the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors to keep the 2019 World Championships at Santa Anita. We know it was not undertaken lightly and required extensive thought and discussion by all parties involved," Thomason said. "Given the continued reforms implemented by The Stronach Group for the safety of horses and jockeys, Santa Anita has positioned itself to be an appropriate host site for this year's World Championships. The Breeders' Cup has the best interest of our equine and human athletes at the heart of every decision it makes, and this one is no exception."

Breeders' Cup already has had additional standards and practices in place aimed to improve safety and integrity at its World Championships.