NEWS
Drainage problems force another
Santa Anita cancellation
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010 1:21 PM
Santa Anita Park canceled Saturday’s card, which featured three graded stakes and two listed stakes, at about 8:30 a.m. PST on Saturday morning after heavy rain drenched the Arcadia, California, area on Friday and Saturday.
Santa Anita’s synthetic Pro-Ride surface has experienced drainage problems and could not handle all of the rain, forcing the track to cancel racing for a fourth time this meeting.
“This is obviously very disappointing,” said George Haines, Santa Anita’s general manager. “The main track is draining better than it was a month ago, but we got very substantial rain overnight and this morning and as a result, we had standing water in several areas.”
Haines said the rain is expected to subside on Saturday and he is optimistic racing on Sunday will not be canceled.
The $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G1), $200,000 Strub Stakes (G2), and $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) were rescheduled for Saturday, February 13. The $65,000 Leroidesanimaux Handicap and $60,000 Wishing Well Handicap will be redrawn and carded for either February 18 or 19.
Racing was canceled on January 18, 21, and 22 due to heavy rain.
