Santa Anita Park will be closed for training throughout the upcoming Del Mar race meeting, from July 17 to Sept. 4, in order to accommodate renovation projects in the stable area and grandstands, including some changes to open up the the historic Chandelier Room and return it to its original 1940s-era ambience. Those horses that were originally scheduled to stable and train at Santa Anita will be able to do so instead this summer at Betfair Hollywood Park.
“Live racing will return to Santa Anita in late September and we have some ongoing renovations that we need to undertake and complete as soon as possible,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “We’re excited to be able to embark upon these upgrades and we’d like to thank the folks at Betfair Hollywood Park for allowing us to do this at this time, during the seven-week Del Mar meeting. Our fans and horsemen are a huge priority to us and these projects will benefit us all.”
Keith Brackpool, chairman of California operations for The Stronach Group, addressed concerns by the public, track employees and some in the industry about changes to the iconic art deco Chandleier Room at a community address to about 50 people on May 14. Discussing the ornate Turf Club sitting room used for many community events and TV shows that Brackpool called “one of the most iconic rooms in all of horse racing,” he said the dual staircases that flank the room will remain, as well as the chandeliers and the bar, according to Bloodhorse.com. The chandeliers will be cleaned and restored, furniture will be upgraded, and a men’s restroom will be added. If the wood floor cannot be refinished again it will be replaced with something similar. The main changes will include opening the area between the staircases at the top to create a balcony overlooking the track, provide a lounge area, and bring light into the room.
Other rooms will have flat-screen TVs installed so patrons can watch races at other tracks and other sporting events. And a balcony will be built for customers to be able to watch horses make their way from the paddock walking ring through the grandstand tunnel to the track.
Santa Anita will remain open for training through the current Betfair Hollywood Park meet, which concludes July 14.
Santa Anita’s 2013 Autumn Meet will open on Sept. 27 and will be highlighted by the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 2 and 3. For more information regarding the two-day Breeders’ Cup and the 24-day Autumn Meet, please visit www.santaanita.com, or call (626) 574-RACE.