Mitchell Memorial Set for Monday at Santa Anita

A public memorial for longtime Southern California trainer Mike Mitchell will take place Monday, April 20 at Santa Anita. The service, which is to start at 1:30 p.m. and run until 3 p.m., will be held in the track’s Chandelier Room.

Mitchell, who passed away following a lengthy battle with brain cancer at age 66 on Tuesday, trained in California for nearly 40 years and is survived by his wife, Denise and their two daughters, McCall (Rounsefell) and Shea (Leparoux). Additional surviving family includes his four siblings; a twin sister, Cheryl, and three brothers, Earl, Jr., Guy and Casey.

The Mitchell family has arranged for their pastor and the choir from their church, Fellowship Monrovia, to address those attending. There will also be a few other short speeches from designated speakers.

At the request of the family, donations may be made in Mike Mitchell’s name to the Southern California Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA). The family has also requested that light refreshments be served at the memorial. Guests should enter by car through Gate 5 and follow signage to the Mitchell Memorial in the Chandelier Room.

OUTSIDE NASHVILLE MAKES DOWNHILL DEBUT IN SAN SIMEON

Outside Nashville will make his first start on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course when he runs in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 San Simeon Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs.

That doesn’t mean the 5-year-old Broken Vow gelding is without a chance.

“He’s got good grass form and good sprint form,” pointed out Dan Ward, assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer who is in a pitched battle with Peter Miller for Santa Anita’s Winter Meet training title. Hollendorfer held a 33-31 lead with two days remaining.

“If he can put the two together, the sprint and the grass, we’ll be all right,” Ward said.

The San Simeon: Get Happy Mister, Tyler Baze, 8-1; Home Run Kitten, Gary Stevens, 5-2; Joes Blazing Aaron, Edwin Maldonado, 20-1; Outside Nashville, Drayden Van Dyke, 15-1; supplemental nominee Holy Lute, Mike Smith, 3-1; Pure Tactics, Kent Desormeaux, 7-2; U S Citizen, Victor Espinoza, 6-1; and Sweet Swap, Joe Talamo, 3-1.