Tragedy in Covina will be felt at Santa Anita today

What was once a family outing will turn into a sad farewell race today at Santa Anita, for a horse named Return Of The King.

The 7-year-old gelding will run in the second race, a six-furlong test for older horses, with a purse of $33,000 and a claiming price of $40,000. Return Of The King is the last horse remaining in James Ortega’s stable.

Ortega was one of nine people killed on Christmas Eve in Covina, when Bruce Prado, the former husband of his sister, Sylvia, entered the family home of James’ and Sylvia’s parents, shot many people and set the home on fire. Nine people died.

Return Of The King is trained by David Bernstein and will be ridden by Martin Pedroza, who rode him to victory at Hollywood Park on Nov. 5. If the horse is not claimed, surviving family members have said he will be sold.

-- Bill Dwyre