Santa Anita re-opens Dec. 6

Despite recent rains, horses will resume training on Santa Anita Park’s new dirt track Dec. 5 after being idle since April, the longest time without live horse racing there since 1968. The next racing season at the venerable track begins with opening day on Dec. 26. Santa Anita’s main track was comprised of synthetic material from Sept. 2007 through Oct. 11 when construction began on the new surface.

“We expect that our purses are going to be 25% higher than they were a year ago and this should result in larger, more competitive fields which will provide better wagering opportunities,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “Our Group Sales and all advance ticket sales are way up, compared to last year.”

Santa Anita’s new main track, which consists of 90 percent sand and 10 percent clay, will be maintained by Track Superintendent Richard Tedesco.  The track’s base and upper layers will have a depth of 15 to 17 inches. Clockers’ Corner, the track’s popular breakfast area at the top of the stretch, also will be open to the public beginning on Monday, from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Admission to and parking at Clockers’ Corner is free of charge and fans will be treated to a wide variety of breakfast favorites. Santa Anita’s popular Seabiscuit Stable Area Tram Tours, which emanate at Clockers’ Corner, will be available beginning Saturday, Dec. 11, and will be offered free of charge each weekend morning at both 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. For advance ticket sales and reservations, fans are encouraged to visit www.santaanitaevents.wagticketing.com. For more information on opening day and upcoming racing action, go to www.santaanita.com.