Santa Anita Derby and Oaks may be postponed amid racing shutdown

The situation at Santa Anita Park remains fluid. Shortly after track officials notified Horse Racing Nation the Santa Anita Derby would be postponed from this Saturday, a follow-up call indicated the race could still go as planned.

As Santa Anita Park awaits word from Los Angeles County on when it can resume racing, track officials are still waiting to make a decision on whether to postpone this weekend’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

“We’re just in a holding pattern right now, trying to work with the county to see when we can open," said Racing Secretary Steve Lym on Monday. "I can’t give a specific timeline, but we’ll be ready with the stakes races when we get the go-ahead.”

Racing at Santa Anita was suspended on Friday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, Santa Anita head Aidan Butler and Craig Fravel, chief executive officer of racing for Santa Anita parent company The Stronach Group, were continuing to lobby the health department on the benefits of resuming racing.

"We're trying the best we can," Lym said. "Aidan Butler and Craig Fravel and those guys, they are talking to the health board and doing their thing."

As for the Santa Anita Derby, the hope is any possible delay will not be extensive. If clearance to race at Santa Anita is provided in a timely manner, a follow-up call from Lym indicated the race could still go on Saturday. 

The Santa Anita Derby is one of two official preps remaining for the Kentucky Derby, which has been rescheduled for Sept. 5. The Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, also originally scheduled for Saturday, has been pushed back to May 2 to fill the void left on the calendar by the rescheduled Kentucky Derby.