ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2009)—The Oak Tree Racing Association and Breeders’ Cup Limited will recognize and express their gratitude to the thousands of firefighters and emergency personnel whose hard work and sacrifice helped to save hundreds of homes in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains by hosting a “Heroes and Horses” party in the Santa Anita infield on Breeders’ Cup Classic Day, Saturday, Nov. 7.
It is expected that some 2,000 firefighters, emergency personnel and their families will attend, along with an impressive array of emergency equipment.
“The Station Fire has been categorized as the worst fire in the history of Los Angeles County and those of us at Oak Tree are sincerely grateful for the job the firefighters and all emergency personnel did on this and other fires this past month,” said Oak Tree Director and Executive Vice President Sherwood Chillingworth. “Many of us live in close proximity to the burn areas and Santa Anita itself is situated at the foot of these magnificent mountains.
“We were all affected in someway by the magnitude of the Station Fire and we want to express our gratitude to these brave men and women and their families by inviting them to come and enjoy the races on the biggest day of the year here in our infield. We want these people to know their hard work and dedication to our safety has not gone unnoticed. They truly are heroes and they and their families will be treated as such here on Nov. 7,” Chillingworth added.
All firefighters and emergency personnel, along with their families, will be admitted free and their all-day party will begin in the infield at 10 a.m. Farmer John and Pepsi will help to provide complimentary beverages and food to all attendees throughout the day. A complimentary luncheon buffet will be served from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
ESPN and ABC will combine to televise the day’s races and plans are underway for a special on-air salute that will include an eight-person color guard and an official Breeders’ Cup welcome from announcer Larry Colmus.
The day’s racing includes eight championship races; highlighted by the Gr. I,
$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, to be run at 1 ¼ miles. Admission gates will open at 8 a.m. and the first live race at Oak Tree is scheduled for 10:05 a.m.
For more information on Oak Tree and the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 6 & 7, fans are encouraged to visit www.oaktreeracing.com.