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Santa Anita officials aiming for March 22 resumption after shock closure

The 2019 Breeders' Cup is set to take place at Santa Anita
The 2019 Breeders' Cup is set to take place at Santa AnitaCredit: Edward Whitaker

Santa Anita officials have tentatively set Friday, March 22 as the date for a return to racing following the track's closure.

Four stakes races have been cancelled and several others have been rescheduled as groundstaff work to reopen the main track and return to racing.

The main track is scheduled to open for jogging and galloping on Monday, March 11, with work allowed on the training track. Santa Anita management hopes to reopen the main track for works later in the week.

Track consultant Dennis Moore has been heading a group of maintenance personnel who have been inspecting the main track and amending the soil. New safety protocols have also been put into place.

All measures are being done to ensure the safety of the horses in the wake of 21 thoroughbred deaths during racing or training since December 26 during an extremely wet winter in southern California.

The track has cancelled three stakes races for three-year-olds – the San Felipe Stakes, the Santa Ysabel Stakes and the China Doll Stakes – while the Californian Stakes for three-year-olds and up has also been lost.

"We're just taking a year off with those races," said Steve Lym, vice-president of racing and the racing secretary of Santa Anita.

He explained the decisions were made because of the timing of other races, such as Triple Crown events, as well as the rescheduling of the Santa Anita Handicap. That race, colloquially known as the Big 'Cap, had originally been scheduled for March 9 but will now be run on April 6, the same day as the Santa Anita Derby.

"It's going to be a big day for us – there are going to be seven stakes races," Lym said.

Lym added that the racing office would be writing a new conditions book, which he hopes to have out on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The March 22 start date is contingent on everything moving forward with the renovation of the main track.


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Published on 11 March 2019inInternational

Last updated 09:44, 11 March 2019

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