Horse Racing

Two more horses broke down and were euthanized over the weekend at Santa Anita, bringing the number of fatalities from racing or training to seven since the meet's traditional Dec. 26 opening. The issue has remained heated with the ongoing controversy over the introduction the last two years of mandated synthetic tracks at Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood Park. Dr.

Horse racing, in a comeback bid, is headed for a casino near you. Beginning this weekend, horse racing fans can place bets and watch televised races at the Commerce Casino, the first new off-track betting site approved under a statewide initiative to whip up the struggling horse racing industry. At the new site, gamblers will be able to bet at electronic kiosks and follow races from across the country on a bank of 26 television screens.

Thirty-five years ago, Chris McCarron arrived on the horse racing scene like one of those stealth bombers flying over the Rose Parade. Suddenly, he was just there. He was immediately competitive, an instant winner. Horse players quickly learned to look for him at the head of the pack. Other jockeys needed time to blossom. McCarron showed up in full bloom. On Feb. 9, 1974, the 5-foot-2, 109-pound McCarron climbed aboard a 5-year-old gelding named Erezev for a race at Bowie in Maryland.

Another day, another debate rages about Santa Anita's Pro-Ride synthetic surface, which is producing lots of supporters and detractors after 39 days of winter racing. In the strangest twist yet, there already have been 17 pick-six carryovers, compared to 19 during the entire 85-day meeting of 2007, when the track had a dirt surface. Some are calling the string of pick-six carryovers a track conspiracy to generate bigger crowds. Others say it's a coincidence.

In Summation, a very consistent 4-year-old, picked up where he left off on the first day of 2008 Tuesday at Santa Anita. An unlucky loser when second to Bushwacker, who some argue should have been disqualified for drifting out in the stretch in the Vernon O. Underwood on Dec. 2 at Hollywood Park, In Summation had a dream journey in winning the $108,900 El Conejo Handicap.

The rain came, as expected, but what didn't come was a clear-cut call on whether to cancel racing at Santa Anita today and Sunday. That will come this morning. "We're going to seal the track, and if the rain lets up in the morning, we expect to be racing," Ron Charles, Santa Anita president, said Friday. The rainstorm, expected to be intense through the weekend, and an ongoing drainage problem with the new synthetic track has left racing at the Arcadia facility up in the air.

In what is believed to be an unprecedented move, Santa Anita canceled racing for a second consecutive day Sunday as the troubles caused by heavy rain and an ongoing drainage problem with the racetrack's new synthetic surface worsened. Fans already at the track were informed just before 11:30 a.m. that there would be no live racing, only simulcast racing, and they would get rain checks redeemable on any race day.

Racing is scheduled to resume at Santa Anita today for the first time in six days. The Arcadia track lost an unprecedented three straight race days, Saturday through Monday, because of heavy rains and the ongoing drainage problem with the facility's new synthetic surface. Ron Charles, Santa Anita president, said Wednesday that he had a very productive meeting with trainers and owners to discuss the situation and possible options.

On a picture-perfect Saturday, a Santa Anita crowd of 11,936 was treated to a thrilling photo-finish race in the Grade II San Fernando Stakes as 52-1 longshot Air Commander nipped Johnny Eves at the wire, with favored Tiago finishing third.

As expected, Santa Anita officials announced Tuesday that, in hopes of solving an ongoing drainage problem, the existing synthetic Cushion Track will be repaired rather than replaced with a sandy loam dirt surface. The decision came after extensive testing in Australia and in the civil engineering department lab at USC. "The test results are dramatic and extremely encouraging," Santa Anita President Ron Charles said.