Santa Anita Race Track to Gain Following Hollywood Park Closure

When Hollywood Park closes at the end of the year, Santa Anita Park will assume many of the historic park’s future events, according to a story in the Pasadena Star News.

The landmark horse racetrack in Inglewood had been slated for closure and redevelopment for years, but the project had stalled. Now the long delayed project is set to begin in January. The massive redevelopment project will include “a renovated Hollywood Park casino, shopping center, 300-room hotel, office space, parks, 2,995 residences (mostly single-family houses and townhouses), and two lakes,” according to Curbed.com.

As far as the races usually raced at Hollywood Park, Arcadia’s Santa Anita Park and Del Mar race track will likely pick up most of the dates. Along with Golden Gate Fields Park in Albany, Santa Anita Park and Del Mar remain the only major racetracks in California. This will likely mean that Santa Anita’s 2014 Winter met can last into the following July.

Santa Anita President George Haines told the Star-News:

"It moves us in that direction. Santa Anita is ready to take on a more prominent role in California racing. With the finalization of Hollywood Park's closure, we'll be ready for the opportunity. "