Tradition Is Winner at Santa Anita

Frank Stronach, the new owner of Santa Anita, quieted what might have been a contentious crowd of horsemen during a scheduled meeting after the races Thursday, announcing that two things they cherished--the downhill turf course and the paddock and walking ring behind the stands--would stay.

Stronach had considered changing two Santa Anita traditions, but in unveiling formal plans for the track he changed his mind about dumping the downhill course and moving the garden paddock to the front of the stands.

“I don’t want to ruin tradition, I only want to enhance it,” said Stronach, who bought Santa Anita in December for $126 million. “You’ve got to listen (to advice), right? I’ve owned horses for more than 30 years, so my heart is in racing.”

There was a querulous question or two, but twice the crowd of about 300 horse owners and trainers applauded Stronach during the 45-minute briefing. Midway through, Bob Lewis said:

“Frank, you and I have had our arguments on the track, but as an owner I want to thank you for your magnanimous willingness to go ahead with your plans for Santa Anita. You’re going to be a breath of fresh air for this place.”

Stronach said that the first phase of his remodeling program at Santa Anita would be an $18-million project that includes relocating the barn area to the north parking lot. Also planned are a new dining room and new dormitories for backstretch help, plus an English-style turf training center near the new barn area.

Stronach said that the work will begin after the current meet ends on Monday and would be completed in time for the start of the Oak Tree Racing Assn.’s meet in late September. Beyond phase one, Stronach said that his plans call for a new turf club and directors’ room, a hotel near the turf club and an indoor mall that would be patterned after Universal Studios’ City Walk. Stronach would not say what the later phases of his redevelopment would cost.

There had been fears that Oak Tree would have to move its meet in 2000 to either Hollywood Park or Del Mar, but Stronach said that there will be no interruption of racing at Santa Anita. He said he’s received permission from the City of Arcadia, where the track is located, to work around the clock, and that would be the schedule, with the exception of the racing and training hours that bring horses to the track. Horses will need an additional five minutes to reach the paddock from the new barns, but Stronach said he would build a tunnel to facilitate their journey.