Santa Anita Park’s annual salute Saturday to its sister racetrack, Tokyo City Cup Day, has become a more of a solemn affair in light of the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear fallout in the country. The event will recognize the devastation and also raise money to help the victims. Donations will be collected for the Japanese Relief Fund at the entrances and also at the Cultural Center. Before the fourth race Saturday afternoon, track announcer Trevor Denman will read a message of appreciation from the Consul General thanking the United States for all the messages of condolence and support during and all the donations that have arrived in Japan through various agencies, according to track officials. Denman will then ask for a moment of silence in memory of those who have not survived the earthquake and tsunami.After the race, Consul general will appear in the winner’s circle. The Soma Nomaoi samurai warriors who appear annually come from one of the hardest hit regions and will not be at Santa Anita Sunday since there has been no contact with them.
In addition to the running of the Marathon mile-and-a-half Tokyo City Cup horse race in the eighth race on a 10-race program, the day is dedicated to Japanese culture, complete with shows and activities in the Paddock Garden concourse such as martial arts demonstrations, shinkendo exhibitions, Japanese specialty food stands and performances by taiko drummers, all of which can be seen in the following video highlight of a recent Tokyo City Cup Day:
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