With the growing demand for racing turf across the country, Santa Anita . Park positioned to offer fans and riders three distinct turf choices in sprints and routes—from the unique Camino Real Hillside, 6 1/2 turf furlong (flat) and oval main turf, all of which promise to offer fans and riders an unprecedented range of racing and gambling opportunities this winter.
Santa Anita’s Classic Meet is scheduled to open on December 26.
While the weather is always a concern in grass-court races, Santa Anita could probably hit more than half of all grass races this winter.
“Having 10 different options in three courses gives us great flexibility in writing grass-court races at Santa Anita,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita racing director and racing secretary. . “Over the past few years, demand for grass races has increased dramatically. While 10 years ago it accounted for about 30% of our racing product, grass races now account for more than half. This is largely a testament to our track supervisor Jesse Martinez and his team for the great job that they do to maintain our turf and keep it going. it is in good condition.
“With the Camino Real Hillside coming back online in the fall of 2021 and the installation of our new manger by the end of 2020, we now have the ability to do something we have never been able to do before. at Santa Anita, and that is, running back-to-back grass races on any given race day, weather permitting, we plan to use all three aspects of our turf presentation. , downhill tracks, grass slides, and grass ovals, as much as possible throughout the classic encounter.”
Santa Anita’s manger, installed under the direction of track surface consultant Dennis Moore starting in the summer of 2020, entered service on December 26 of that year and has proven to be the best. an invaluable addition to the track’s European-style Camino Real Lawn. published on December 26, 1953.
The Camino Real track has a downhill component with the only right turn in the American Grand Prix as the horses sprint about 6 1/2 of the way downhill. The course also includes a seven-track oval that facilitates routes with downhill starting points at 1 1/4 mile, 1 1/2 mile and 1 3/4 mile. Horses route at one mile and at 1 1/8 mile each starting with a “flat” start.
Smooth Like Strait wins Mathis Brothers Mile 2020
“Our Camino Real Turf is truly unique,” said Merz. “What’s important to Santa Anita’s identity is whatever you can think of. Wherever you go, if racers know you’re related to Santa Anita, they’ll always talk about beauty. of the San Gabriel Mountains as the backdrop and our downhill Camino Real Turf Course, there simply isn’t anything like it in the US race.”
With an increasing number of foreign-born or racehorses being imported and an increasing number of races played on grass, Santa Anita is well positioned to make adjustments throughout. developments of each race day.
“Our internal track mobility has proven to be a key factor in keeping the track in good condition,” says Merz. “It’s important that we can run as much as we can on the field while keeping it as fresh as possible. Jesse Martinez regularly reads data from the track at different points on the field and the data that he has. She told us when, when to move the rail inside and how far.
“Also, we now have the ability to adjust the track on the fly, during racing, as Jesse’s team can complete an entire oval in less than an hour. We usually set goals. use 0 and 10 foot settings on weekends and again, the weather is a big factor here, but the key to all of this is the communication that Jesse and his team provide for us.
All in all, we are all very proud to help bring to our fans and riders what is, in my opinion, the best winter turf race in the world. America.”
First introduced in the summer of 2016, Santa Anita’s turf consists of bandera bermuda hybrid grass supervised with seasonal winter rye.
With entries for the opening day set to take place on December 21, Santa Anita will offer a total of six graded bets, three on grass, topped by a $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) for 3-year-olds at one mile. a quarter.
Additionally, a pair of $200,000 tier 2 bets, Santa Anita Mathis Brothers Mile (G2T) for 3-year-olds and San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-olds and older at 1 mile 1/8, will also run on grass.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
