GM Nate Newby: 'We're having the safest season in Santa Anita history'

There is a one-week break in racing at Santa Anita. The break was planned long before the winter-spring meet began. Racing will resume on Saturday, April 30. There will be four graded stakes races on the card. General manager Nate Newby says the break will give the turf course a chance to be cleaned.

GM Nate Newby is pleased with the safety record of the Santa Anita meet. The most recent on-track business has been good since COVID protocols were introduced. Santa Ana Derby day (April 9) was the biggest day post-pandemic.

The main problem for Santa Anita is field size. The company is willing to spend money to improve the product. Newby is looking to recruit horses from other circuits and bring new stables to California.

The current COVID protocols at Santa Anita do not require proof of vaccination or negative test result. The CDC recommends wearing masks indoors. Santa Annie is an outdoor venue.

GM Nate Newby says Santa Anita is having the safest season in its history. The downhill turf sprints have returned this meet and have been a success. Management is planning to add more of them. The vice president of racing has only had one downhill race not fill the entire meet.

GM Nate Newby says Santa Anita is having the safest season in its history. He believes there's not enough attention paid to the safety improvements made in California racing.

GM Nate Newby says Santa Anita is having the safest season in its history. There is no update on whether Santa Ana will be the host venue for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup.