Jeff Metz leaves training, transitions to racing office role

West coast trainer Jeff Metz closed his stable to work as stall superintendent position at Santa Anita, succeeding Bobby Troeger in the role.

Metz's eight-horse string at Santa Anita will be turned over to his daughter Zoe Metz, who is currently undergoing her accreditation to gain a trainer's license, according to a report by Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form, as well as a post on the official Facebook page for Metz's stable.

Metz told Andersen that the closure of Turf Paradise and the planned closure of Golden Gate Fields weighed into his decision to move into the racing office. He raced regularly at Turf Paradise, finishing fifth in the training standings with 34 wins in the 2022-2023 season, and occasionally sent runners to Golden Gate as well.

In a training career that stretched from 1991 through 2023, Metz won 918 times in $6,734 starts, with purses of $10,977,941. His last win came Aug. 5 at Emerald Downs when Heart River won a claiming race. His final start was a fourth-place finish by Mongolian Moon in a claiming race Sept. 17 at Los Alamitos.

Metz's leading horses include multiple stakes-winner Citizen Kitty, stakes-placed Kaabraaj, and stakes-winner B C Z Middleton. Kaabraaj still holds the six-furlong track record at Emerald Downs, at 1:06.86.