By Bloodhorse.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 12, 2020) — Despite the possibility that Los Angeles County may extend a current stay-at-home order for residents due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Anita Park officials remain hopeful they will be able to move forward with plans to resume racing.
Santa Anita has been closed since the Los Angeles County Health Department ordered a cessation of racing March 27. The Southern California track released a May 15 overnight May 12, the same day the county’s Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer told the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors that “with all certainty” the lockdown will remain in place for the next three months in order to continue to combat the spread of COVID-19, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.
Ferrer further explained that with testing still not widely available, the best case scenario is that restrictions and social distancing directives could be eased slowly over the ensuing months.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a clarification on the county’s position later Tuesday, alleging Ferrer’s statement was taken out of context and stating, “Relaxing the restrictions in the ‘Safer at Home’ order is an important focus for the county, which will be done gradually over the next few months. I am eager to open more of L.A. County as soon as it’s safe to do so, in collaboration with our health experts, community leaders, businesses, and residents, with best practices in place to ensure our overall health and well-being.”
Track officials submitted a proposal to Barger April 16 asking for a return to live racing as soon as possible, with strict protocols in place and without spectators on the grounds. The May 15 opening date—the date the “Safer at Home” order was originally expected to expire—was set by track owner The Stronach Group, although the county had not officially granted permission for Santa Anita to resume business.
On April 30 the Santa Anita racing office released a revised condition book along with an updated stakes schedule. Both are contingent upon approval from the state to resume racing.
“We are optimistic about running on Friday,” Santa Anita publicity director Mike Willman said when reached by BloodHorse Tuesday afternoon. Willman added the track did not plan to issue a further statement Tuesday.
The May 15 card features nine races with a total of 94 horses entered in the body of each race. Three horses are on the also eligible list. The card is comprised of maiden, claiming, and allowance races—including race 2, which is open to only California-bred or sired maidens, fillies, and mares—and range in purse size from $17,000 to $51,000.
First post is set for 12:30 pm PT.
Despite government reticence to lift the order entirely, local beaches are set to reopen May 13 with public health restrictions in place. Restrictions on hiking trails, public parks, and golf courses have also been lifted. Businesses deemed “nonessential” are allowed to offer curbside pickup to patrons.