From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2017)—With Santa Anita’s traditional Winter Meet opener looming on Tuesday, Dec. 26, veteran racing official Daniel Eidson has returned to Southern California following a four year stint in New York to become Santa Anita Park’s Racing Director. Eidson, 65, who served with distinction for more than 30 years in various roles at Golden Gate Fields and Hollywood Park prior to going to work for NYRA in 2014, will assist Santa Anita Vice President of Racing Rick Hammerle in his efforts to present competitive, full fields to the betting public.
“Danny and I worked together at Golden Gate back in the late 80s and we’ve remained in close contact over these many years,” said Hammerle. “He’s from California and he’s been anxious to come home. He’s known and well respected here and throughout the country and that’s a huge plus for us. We’re excited to have a guy of his caliber filling this very important position.”
Eidson, who officially assumed his duties today at Santa Anita, will take an active role in recruiting horses from around the country and to assist Hammerle’s staff on a daily basis.
Santa Anita’s nine-race card on opening day will be highlighted by both the Grade I Malibu Stakes and the Grade I La Brea Stakes, in addition to a pair of Grade II Stakes—the Mathis Brothers Mile (turf) and the San Antonio.
First post time on opening day is at 12 noon, with admission gates opening at 10 a.m. All attendees will receive Santa Anita’s traditional wall calendar, with paid admission, and the first 4,000 kids, aged 12 and under, will receive a beautiful plush Christmas Toy, courtesy of Mathis Brothers Furniture.