Breeders’ Cup, Oak Tree Break Off Negotiations for Santa Anita in ’92

Contrary to a report in The Times on Wednesday, the Breeders’ Cup will not be held at Santa Anita in 1992.

A Breeders’ Cup spokesman, responding to the story, said negotiations with the Oak Tree Racing Assn. for the 1992 races have broken off permanently. The Oak Tree group leases the track from Santa Anita for fall meetings and played host to the Breeders’ Cup in 1986.

“There is no chance that the Breeders’ Cup will be held at Santa Anita in 1992,” the Breeders’ Cup spokesman said. He would not comment on tracks under consideration.

There were months of negotiations between the Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree. One of the stumbling blocks was the number of seats Oak Tree would allocate to the Breeders’ Cup for the day. Oak Tree was concerned about protecting its season ticket-holders.

Ray Rogers, executive vice president at Oak Tree, said the Breeders’ Cup ended negotiations. Rogers said he thought progress was being made in the negotiations.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held Oct. 27 at Belmont Park. Next year’s is scheduled for Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.