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: . : Santa Anita to Expand Turf Racing Program Next Winter Photo by Karsh, Ottawa DR. CHARLES H. STRUB Santa Anita executive vice-president announced an expanded turf course racing program for next winters meeting. Seven Stake Races, Twenty Overnight Events for Total Of 35,000 on Schedule SANTA ANITA PARK, Arcadia, Calif., June 1. Materially increased turf course offerings of seven stakes, topped by the 00,000-added San Juan Capistrano Handicap, and 20 overnight features up to 5,000 in value for V distribution of 35,-000 will be important additions to Santa Anitas 1954-1955 racing program. There also will be renewals on the main dirt track of the 00,000-guaranteed Santa Anita Handicap for three-year-olds and up; the estimated 00,000 Santa Anita Maturity for four-year-olds; the 00,000-added Santa Anita Derby for three-year-olds; and other established fixtures. Executive- vice-president Dr. Charles H. Strub is making an early announcment of the augmented races on grass and an outline of the whole program so that horsemen, abroad and in this country, will have the information well in advance of the usual December opening to facilitate planned campaigns. Last season when Santa Anitas C amino Real "Kah-mee-noh Reh-al " Turf Course of about one and three-fourths miles was inaugurated so successfully with the new concept in America of racing up-hill and down-dale on high rolling land and an infield oval, there were only three stakes and 18 overnights. Double Attractions Planned The additions will permit Santa Anita next winter to present double attractions, weather permitting, of turf stakes and features with established stakes on the main dirt track on Saturdays and holidays during fchfi mpptincr that will extend 50 davs from late December through early March. Santa Anitas complete stakes schedule for all ages and sex Classifications is now being prepared and will be announced shortly. For the older horses various distances in proper sequence will be provided. They will lead up to the one and one-fourth miles of the Santa Anita Handicap and the about one and three-fourths miles, of the San Juan Capistrano Handicap on the turf on closing day. The San Juan Capistrano for three-year-olds and upward will be run this coming season over the full length of the Camino Real Turf Course. The start will be at the" farthest point high above the across-track parking area by Colorado Street. It" provides for a run down-hill and up-dale to the slight reverse turn at the Lucky Baldwin old winery; then down a sweeping turn to the crossing of the main track to the infield; thence past the stands and a. full circle of the nine-tenths-mile grass oval to the finish line. The distinctive and spectacular hillside portion of the turf course, within full view of the spectators, is to be utilized more next season, now that the grass has matured. Santa Anita is to have a completely rebuilt training track, widened and lengthened from five to six furlongs. It will transfer many of the morning workouts from the main mile track, which can be closed in rainy weather and provide for better track conditions for afternoon racing.
