Santa Anita Park's racing director, Eidson, dismissed

Dan Eidson, who returned to California in December of 2017 to begin work as Santa Anita Park's racing director, was dismissed from his post this week, a track spokesman confirmed Friday.

Eidson was brought on to work with former Vice President of Racing Rick Hammerle, who was also fired in December.

Santa Anita appointed former Woodbine racing official Steve Lym to succeed Hammerle. He also serves as racing secretary.

Eidson, who's in his mid-60s, previously worked for the New York Racing Association from 2014-2017. At the time of his hiring, Hammerle said, "Danny and I worked together at Golden Gate back in the late 80s and we’ve remained in close contact over these many years. He’s from California and he’s been anxious to come home.

"He’s known and well respected here and throughout the country and that’s a huge plus for us. We’re excited to have a guy of his caliber filling this very important position.”

It's unclear whether Santa Anita will fill the role amid tumultuous times for the track, which was back under the national spotlight this week following a trio of equine fatalities in racing and training over a nine-day span, bringing the total since the current season started Dec. 26 to 26.