Tokyo Cup raises $19,324

Donations collected during the Tokyo City Cup Day at Santa Anita Park last weekend (March 26) raised amounted to $19,324 for the Japan Relief Fund to aid victims of the devastating 9.1 earthquake which struck Japan on March 11.

Geisha at Santa Anita Park's Tokyo City Cup Day March 26

“We’re honored, on behalf of the horse racing industry in California, to help in any way we can,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “We cherish our relationship with Ohi Racetrack and our friends in Japan.  Horse racing is immensely popular there and given our geographic location and the relationship we’ve built with Japanese racing officials over the years, we truly consider them to be  kindred spirits. “Our hearts go out to those who have been victimized by this horrific natural disaster and we salute the Japanese people for the way they have come together and reacted to this unprecedented situation.  We hope to be able to continue to grow and develop the Tokyo City Cup and to be of further assistance to the relief effort,” continued Haines.

The Grade III Tokyo City Cup, initiated in 2005, was originally run as the San Bernardino Handicap, beginning in 1957.  It is for older horses and is contested at 1 ½ miles.