In response to the rapid expansion of wildfires in Los Angeles County, the renowned Santa Anita Park has decided to postpone its racing events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Initially, Friday's races were rescheduled due to poor air quality caused by the nearby Eaton fire. However, as conditions worsened overnight with the growth of the Palisades fire, impacting more communities, the decision was made to cancel both weekend days of racing. The California Cup races have been moved to January 18th and 19th, with trainers required to re-enter their horses. This adjustment reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the equestrian community and the broader impact on local residents.
Santa Anita Responds to Evolving Wildfire Situation
In the heart of a challenging autumn season, Santa Anita Park found itself navigating through unprecedented circumstances brought on by the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. Early Saturday morning, at 7:23 AM, an urgent message was sent to horsemen, informing them of the cancellation of racing events originally planned for the weekend. Initially, Friday’s races had been postponed to the following Thursday due to unhealthy air conditions caused by the Eaton fire. Despite some improvement in air quality on Friday, which initially suggested a go-ahead for Saturday's races, the situation took a turn for the worse overnight.
The Palisades fire expanded significantly, affecting new areas of West L.A. and even parts of the San Fernando Valley, bringing it closer to Santa Anita in the San Gabriel Valley. Amy Zimmerman, the senior vice president and executive producer at Santa Anita, emphasized the growing impact on people. Consequently, the California Cup races, which were to be held this weekend, have been rescheduled to January 18th and 19th. Additionally, Sunday’s races will proceed as planned on January 19th, with trainers needing to re-enter their horses for both days. Santa Anita also plans to seek approval from the California Horse Racing Board to hold a makeup day of racing on January 23rd.
Despite these disruptions, Santa Anita remains miles outside the fire zone and is not in immediate danger. The facility has taken on additional roles during this crisis, including serving as a charity drop-off point and a base for utility crews working to restore power to affected areas. Morning training sessions, initially canceled earlier in the week, resumed early Saturday with air quality still within acceptable limits for sensitive groups.
This series of events highlights the resilience and adaptability of Santa Anita Park in the face of natural disasters. It underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and well-being over sporting events, especially when communities are under such duress. The proactive measures taken by Santa Anita not only demonstrate responsible management but also reflect the broader community spirit that prevails during times of crisis.