California Wildfires

A donation drive to aid fire relief efforts will be held Sunday, Feb. 23 at Santa Anita in the parking lot from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., it was announced via press release Monday afternoon. Those wishing to contribute to the drive can enter through Gate 5 off Huntington Drive or Gate 8 off Baldwin Avenue. Donations may include non-perishable food, water, paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, wipes, etc.), diapers, toiletries (must be new), and pet food. All who donate can also stay for a complimentary day at the...

Due to the threat of a nearby wildfire Tuesday, the horses stabled at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in Bonsall, San Diego County, were evacuated and sent elsewhere, largely to Del Mar racetrack. By Tuesday afternoon, the nearby Lilac Fire had burned through 80 acres and was 30% contained, according to Cal Fire. "We are still at the same level 2 evacuation warning status so we will continue to monitor the situation and the wind," Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby wrote in a text Tuesday afternoon, adding...

Eoin Harty's world is chock full right now. For starters, his home is situated in the midst of one of the worst wildfires in California history, but somehow it has survived the nightmarish ordeal. Then, there is his role as the president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, a position he has held since 2019. What that means is he is at the forefront of trying to turn around the declining fortunes of racing in the state, which he admits is no easy task. The good news is that he has...

Golden Gate Fields in Berkley, California, cancelled the Oct. 2 live racing card due to poor air quality stemming from the widespread fires in the state. "Due to unhealthy air quality unsuitable for racing, Golden Gate Fields is cancelling live racing today," according to a Tweet posted by the track. "We will be monitoring this situation on a daily basis."

While racing this week at Santa Anita has been canceled due to the fires that are ravaging the West, its sister track, Golden Gate Fields, will be back in business starting Thursday. Golden Gate Vice President and General Manager David Duggan said the area surrounding the track has undergone a dramatic transformation, with clear blue skies having replaced the orange glow that had surrounded the Bay Area earlier. Golden Gate was forced to cancel its three weekend cards last week and as not raced since Sept. 7. "Last Thursday, you...

The opening day of Santa Anita's Autumn season will be pushed back a week until Friday, Sept. 25 due to the impact of the Bobcat Fire on the air quality and surrounding community. "Our local community has been deeply impacted by the Bobcat Fire burning for more than a week in the mountains behind us," said Aidan Butler, Executive Director of California Operations for The Stronach Group. "The current weather pattern has kept the smoke in the valley and the air quality is quite poor right now. The Red Cross...