The Stronach Group, just days after announcing plans to permanently close Golden Gate Fields, is now pledging to invest nearly $32 million into Santa Anita Park in an effort to make the Arcadia-based racetrack more attractive to stables from Northern California and beyond.
The investments include $23.2 million in improvements to the barns, living quarters and other facilities that make up the historic racetrack’s backside, $4.5 million for a new synthetic training track, $2.5 million for a new one-mile turf chute, $500,000 for an equine swimming pool and a $1 million fund to support California’s breeders and assist with the relocation of horses from Golden Gate Fields.
Additionally, Stronach will explore the possibility of expanding its racing schedule to four cards a week.
“We are confident that this comprehensive package of important measures will not only bolster the racing, training, owner and fan experience at Santa Anita Park, “The Great Race Place,” but also support Northern California stakeholders through a challenging transition period, and lead the way with state and industry-wide changes that will result in a healthier, competitive and sustainable future for Thoroughbred racing in Southern California,” said Belinda Stronach, chairwoman and chief executive officer of The Stronach Group, in a statement.
The company’s decision to close Golden Gate Fields at the end of the 2023 blindsided trainers, jockeys and stable personnel. Stronach Group executives said during a July 16 announcement that they would be consolidating racing to Southern California and promised to “double down on its prestigious racing and training venues at Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs.”
During a media briefing about the investment, Craig Fravel, executive vice chair of 1/ST RACING, the Stronach Group’s racing division, acknowledged the impact the closure will have on the industry and said the company is sharing more detailed plans now in the hopes of…
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