Santa Anita Race Track

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.

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 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.

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.

A cloud of uncertainty has been hanging over today's marquee Sunshine Millions event essentially since the 71st Santa Anita winter/spring meet opened the day after Christmas. And that cloud is among the dark ones hovering over the horse racing industry in general and Santa Anita in particular.

It has been a strange Santa Anita meet so far, almost as strange as Shaquille O'Neal winning a horse race as a jockey, as he did in a Super Bowl commercial. Another racing day was lost Sunday when a heavier-than-expected overnight rain resulted in the day's nine-race card being canceled. The count is now eight racing days lost since the meet opened Dec. 26. "What else can go wrong?" Santa Anita President Ron Charles said.

For the moment, the Great Race Place isn't great. Santa Anita is having the winter of its discontent. Traditionally, the thoroughbred horse race meeting that begins the day after Christmas, at the track at the foot of the scenic snow-topped San Gabriel Mountains, has the most expensive horses in the country and the best jockeys to ride them in an annual showcase for the sport. A sport, it must be pointed out, that badly needs one. This year, tradition has taken a back seat to chaos.

The decision has been made. Santa Anita will replace its existing synthetic track with a new one this summer. Santa Anita President Ron Charles initially had said a decision on whether to replace the track or keep the revamped one now in place wouldn't be made until after the winter-spring meet ends April 20. But at the end of an all-day special California Horse Racing Board meeting Wednesday at Santa Anita, Charles made the surprise announcement.

Evidence of the Santa Anita Handicap's rich tradition is reflected in winners such as Seabiscuit (1940 at age 7), Affirmed (1979), Spectacular Bid (1980), John Henry (1981 and '82) and Alysheba, who edged Ferdinand and Bill Shoemaker in 1988. Santa Anita's signature event began in 1935 and offered an astonishing $100,000 purse at a time when the country was in the midst of the Great Depression.