Santa Anita to host Breeders’ Cup in 2013

Santa Anita, already set to host the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 2-3, also has been awarded thoroughbred racing’s world championships for a second consecutive year in 2013.

Next year the Breeders’ Cup will take place at the Arcadia track Nov. 1-2. Santa Anita most recently hosted back-to-back Breeders’ Cups in 2008 and 2009.

George Haines, president and general manager of the track, said the Breeders’ Cup brings with it a “$60-million economic” infusion for the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County for businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

“We believe Santa Anita is the perfect stage for the world championships,” Haines said. “We put on a good show for the racing world and public.”

Major factors in awarding the Breeders’ Cup to Santa Anita are Southern California’s good weather and the potential for attracting horses from Europe and Asia.

The NBC Sports Network is scheduled to broadcast the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic live and in prime time this fall and next fall. It will mark the 10th time the event has been held in Southern California over its 30-year history.

Southern California-based trainer John Sadler said, “It makes sense. California is the best place to hold it. We get good results. Everybody likes California, from the Europeans to the East Coast guys, and you have the best chance to have good weather.”

Santa Anita was the site for perhaps the most memorable Breeders’ Cup in 2009 when Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. There was a record two-day attendance of 96,496 and a record on-track handle of $19,208,012. It also attracted 34 horses from outside the U.S. and Canada.

Santa Anita is scheduled to unveil a bronze statue of Zenyatta next month when its autumn meeting begins.

“We’ll have Zenyatta here all the time, but she’ll be in bronze,” Haines said.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com