Another Top Executive Is Out at Santa Anita

Jack McDaniel has left as president of Santa Anita, the fourth top executive to depart since Frank Stronach’s Magna Entertainment bought the track in 1998.

In a statement from the Canadian-based Magna, no reason was given for McDaniel’s departure, but he is believed to have had difficulties with Ron Charles, who was named executive director of Magna Entertainment California in November.

Shortly after Charles arrived, and only a few days before the start of Santa Anita’s meet Dec. 26, Michael Gilligan, a McDaniel hire, was fired as the track’s vice president of marketing. Gilligan had been on the job for about four months.

Charles, who declined to comment about McDaniel’s leaving, has been named interim president of Santa Anita.

McDaniel, who founded an entertainment facility company in 1994, had no racing experience when he became president of Santa Anita in January 2004. Santa Anita, hit by record rainfall when the track absorbed more than 40 inches during the recently completed season, showed declines in attendance and handle. On-track, the handle dipped 8% and attendance was off 9%.

Both at Santa Anita and its other tracks, Magna has a reputation for rapid executive turnover. Cliff Goodrich, Lonny Powell and Jack Liebau preceded McDaniel as president of Santa Anita. Chris McCarron, a Hall of Fame jockey, left last month after two years in the front office. Jim McAlpine was recently replaced by Thomas Hodgson as chief executive of Magna Entertainment.

*

-- Bill Christine