Early venue thoughts

[RUFFIAN]

BLOODHORSE


Despite the possibility that Los Angeles County may extend a current stay-at-home order for residents due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Anita

Santa Anita has been closed since the Los Angeles County Health Department ordered a cessation of racing March 27. The Southern California track released a May 15 overnight May 12, the same day the county's Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer told the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors that "with all certainty" the lockdown will remain in place for the next three months in order to continue to combat the spread of COVID-19, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

"We are optimistic about running on Friday,"
Santa Anita publicity director Mike Willman said when reached by BloodHorse Tuesday afternoon. Willman added the track did not plan to issue a further statement Tuesday.

The May 15 card features nine races with a
total of 94 horses entered in the body of each race. Three horses are on the also eligible list. The card is comprised of maiden, claiming, and allowance races— including race 2, which is open to only California-bred or sired maidens, fillies, and mares—and range in purse size from $17,000 to $51,000.