1/11/2025

(Arcadia, CA) Santa Anita officials made a tough but correct call to cancel the Saturday and Sunday racing cards. Despite saying the air quality is within range to allow them run it just isn’t then right time to re-open. Here is the press release from Santa Anita:

RACING AT SANTA ANITA CANCELLED THIS WEEKEND

Arcadia Ca. (Jan.11, 2025) – Santa Anita Park has cancelled racing this weekend, given the overnight developments with the wildfires on the west side of Los Angeles. The air quality standards at the racetrack remain well within the limits established by the CHRB and HISA, and are forecast to remain so, but the impact of these devastating fires is growing throughout Los Angeles County.

Santa Anita Park’s expansive property is currently being used to support several relief efforts. The large charity drop-off that was set up at the Rose Bowl was relocated to Santa Anita Park’s south parking lot Friday afternoon, with thousands driving in to give what they can or pick up what they need. Southern California Edison is using the entire north parking lot as their basecamp to restore power to those in the affected areas and Santa Anita Park is working with additional response organizations requesting space.

Morning training will continue as scheduled both days and Santa Anita will remain open for simulcast wagering. Santa Anita Park has its own security staff and unlike many other venues, does not use local first responders for normal events.

The track’s location so close to the 2nd largest fire in the area the Eaton fire is needed to help several organizations stage to help the impacted communities.

Santa Anita joins the other major sports in cancelling or in some cases re-locating events. The Monday night NFL Wildcard game that had the LA Rams hosting the Minnesota Vikings is now going to be played in Phoenix and not SoFi Stadium, which is on the site of the former Hollywood Park race track.

The NBA, NHL, colleges and high schools all over the area have cancelled games, events and classes.

Santa Anita officials will be meeting with the CHRB and Stakeholders about re-scheduling the cancelled races especially the state bred races and stakes. Once a plan has been agreed too the details will be released.

Los Alomitos did run their regular card on Saturday night. Los Al is nearly 40 miles to the south of Santa Anita far from the danger zones of all the current fires.

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