The Oak Tree Racing Association and Canadian millionaire Frank Stronach reached an agreement this week that allows the Association to run its fall meeting at Santa Anita Park for one final year. Oak tree and Stronach appeared before the California Horse Racing Board to solve the conflict between them.

“I'm here to find solutions. I don't want to be a hard-liner,” Stronach said. “I would commit that we have it this year, but then we would not have it anymore.” Stronach is the chairman of MI Developments, which purchased Santa Anita in April as part of a reorganization plan. Since then, the company did not comply with its lease with Oak Tree, leaving the meet, which has taken place in Santa Anita since 1969, without a racetrack.

Oak Tree director and executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth said the decision took by Stronach was an acceptable compromise. “Mr. Stronach has generously changed his mind and allowed us to stay there for another year,” Chillingworth said. “I think it's very good for the industry and good for all of us.”

Chillingworth added that he was happy for track workers because "without our being here it would be hard to keep all of these people employed." During a race day, there are nearly 1,500 workers in the horse racing track. Stronach said that this is only a temporary solution and that, ultimately, he wants Santa Anita to be the only operator at his racetrack.