After 41 years, it appears that the relationship between the Oak Tree Racing Association and Santa Anita is over.
Larry Stewart
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Larry Stewart’s report for the Thoroughbred Times: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Oak Tree, which has held its fall meet at Santa Anita since 1969, had given Magna International Developments, which now owns the Arcadia racetrack, a deadline of noon today for agreeing to terms on a new lease.
Dennis Mills, vice chairman and CEO of MID, let Oak Tree Executive Vice President Sherwood “Chilly” Chillingworth know by phone today that his company could not meet that deadline.
Mills said he told Chillingworth no decision could be made regarding Oak Tree until MID chairman Frank Stronach addressed the California Horse Racing Board at its next scheduled meeting on June 22 at Hollywood Park.
“I told Chilly he could start working on Plan B or Plan C,” Mills said. “I guess Plan B would be going to Hollywood Park and Plan C would be going to Del Mar.”
“Dennis told us to go ahead with our plans, and that’s what we are doing,” Chillingworth said. “We’re singing the same song.” He said he has talked to officials at both Hollywood Park and Del Mar and hoped to have a deal in place soon.
Hollywood Park president Jack Liebau said, “Chilly knows we would welcome Oak Tree to hold its meet at our facility. I see no obstacles in the way of that happening. We have offered our track rent free. You can’t get a better deal than that.”
Del Mar has also offered the Oak Tree association its track rent free as well.
The CHRB, at a meeting May 20 at Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area, approved the Oak Tree meet dates, which are Sept. 29-Oct. 31. Now all Oak Tree needs is a racetrack.
コメント