SIERRA MADRE EDITION

 SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019 


VOLUME 13 NO.10

SANTA ANITA SHUT DOWN; 

21 HORSES DEAD by Kevin McGuire

Animal rights activists continue to accrue outside the iconic Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, 
holding signs expressing sentiments such “It’s Not Sport, It’s Violence” and “Horseracing Kills 
Horses,” as the track halts all racing and training indefinitely after the loss of 21 horses over a short 
10-week period.

In addition to dealing with a depleted horse population this season, over 16 inches of rain has pelted 
the dirt track over the past two months, making conditions for training treacherous at times for 
bulked up horses with brittle legs. This past Tuesday, Santa Anita reported the loss of a 4-year-old 
filly named Let’s Light the Way who shattered its sesamoid bone at the ankle joint. The horse was 
euthanized. Another 20 horses died as a result of racing the main track, the turf track and morning 
workouts.

After the latest catastrophe, The Stronach Group, owners of Santa Anita, called for closure of the track 
and a thorough inspection. Why did it take so long? That’s what activists and area residents want to 
know, as the voiced their displeasure, for the way things were handled, on social media and on the 
parking lot outside the track. “So it took 21 horses to die before Santa Anita closes indefinitely SMH! 
(shaking my head), 
of course it’s about 
the money, not the 
horses,” one Twitter 
post said. 

According to The 
Stronach Group, a 
“highly respected 
track man” Dennis 
Moore and Dr. 
Mick Peterson, of 
the Racing Services 
Testing Lab, were 
brought in to 
perform extensive 
testing and a 
thorough review of 
the one-mile main 
track on Thursday, 
March 7. The results of the inspection are not known at this time. Mr. Moore has 46 years of 
experience dealing with track surfaces. 

“As horse lovers first and foremost, we are deeply saddened by the losses experienced over the past 
several weeks. The loss of just one horse is one too many. While we can’t prevent every injury, we 
can’t overemphasize that the health and welfare of the horses and jockeys is our top priority,” said 
Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer, The Stronach Group, the owners of Santa Anita Park. “The track 
will be closed for live racing and training until our outside experts confirm the soundness of the 
track and let us know that it is safe to resume racing.”

Inspections of the track will include the utilization of an Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester, a 
device that mimics the impacts of a horse running at full gallop allowing engineers to see how the 
track holds up. These test results will be evaluated to ensure track consistency and uniformity for 
both training and racing. 

“While we are confident further testing will confirm the soundness of the track, the decision to close 
is the right thing to do at this time,” stated Ritvo.

Canceled events include the $600,000 Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, and $500,000 San Felipe 
Stakes, which sets up horses for the Kentucky Derby. Horses will remain stabled at Santa Anita and 
the track will be opened to the public for simulcasts. 

Further, The Stronach Group will be conducting a comprehensive evaluation of all existing safety 
measures and current protocols.


ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:

Annually, the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association is proud to award a

scholarship to a qualified college-bound student who meets the following 
qualifications:

1.Applicants must currently be a student in their senior year of high school or be a

college freshman with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

2.Applicants must have been active in one or more Sierra Madre Rose Float activity
such as fundraising, design, construction, decorating or as a past or present float 
rider.

Application and Reference Forms Are attached 
and can be Downloaded from the

SMRoseFloat.org website

All forms must be postmarked or sent by 
E-mail

to Scholarship@SMRoseFloat.org 

NO LATER than April 12, 2019

SIERRA MADRE SAILOR SERVES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Navy Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Chris Malicek, right, from Sierra Madre, California, 
trains Logistics Specialist Seaman Bailey Stephenson, from Firestone, Colorado, on 
how to operate a crane in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis 
(CVN 74) in the South China Sea, March 2, 2019. The John C. Stennis is deployed in the 
U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific 
region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod A. Schad)


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com