Expert goes to work at Santa Anita; when shutdown may end

Veteran trackman Dennis Moore began his testing and review of Santa Anita Park’s dirt surface Thursday morning, it was announced, while at the same time track officials are “conducting a comprehensive evaluation of all existing safety measures and current protocols,” according to a news release.

These moves arrive amid an indefinitely shutdown of both racing and training in Arcadia, Calif., and follow 21 equine fatalities since Santa Anita’s current meet began Dec. 26.

“The loss of just one horse is one too many,” said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita Park. “While we can’t prevent every injury, we can’t overemphasize that the health and welfare of the horses and jockeys is our top priority.

“The track will be closed for live racing and training until our outside experts confirm the soundness of the track and let us know that it is safe to resume racing.”

RELATED: 3 thoughts amid Santa Anita's shutdown

Moore, who has worked at California racetracks for more than 45 years, served as track superintendent at Santa Anita until Dec. 31. A news released termed his departure as a “retirement,” though he continues to work for other facilities in the state, including Del Mar, where from 2016 to 2017 Moore is credited with repairs to the dirt there reversing a similar trend of catastrophic equine injuries.

The Southern California News Group’s Art Wilson reported, citing multiple sources, that Santa Anita’s “tentative plans” are to resume racing on March 28. Horse Racing Nation has heard similarly from a veteran horseman in Southern California.

The track has indicated it plans to run stakes such as the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and San Felipe (G2) both originally scheduled for Saturday. With the latter being a Kentucky Derby points prep — and leading colts Game Winner and Improbable needing to get their seasons started — Oaklawn Park’s March 16 Rebel Stakes (G2) could run in split divisions to accommodate such horses.

Another option emerged Wednesday evening when BloodHorse’s Jeremy Balan reported nearby Los Alamitos’ willingness to run Santa Anita’s dates. Track owner Ed Allred termed it a “contingency plan” should Moore’s track analysis find no short-term solution. Los Alamitos runs its nighttime Quarter Horse races year-round and currently hosts two brief daytime meets for Thoroughbreds totaling eight weeks.

Allred, according to BloodHorse, has also invited Santa Anita horsemen to train at Los Alamitos. No breakdowns have occurred recently on Santa Anita’s inner training track, but even that is now closed for further evaluation. Baffert, who stables some of his up-and-coming runners at Los Al, plans to work Game Winner and Improbable there on Sunday before making a decision on the Rebel Stakes.

In a statement, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, which offers more potential stall space to the South, also said it "is currently working with the California Horse Racing Board and other industry stakeholders in ongoing attempts to stabilize the racing, training and stabling situation in Southern California."