The building of the new natural dirt surface that will replace the synthetic main track at Santa Anita started this week and will continue for approximately two months, as informed by the racing track authorities. More precisely, the main track is expected to be ready by 6th December, just in time for the traditional winter/spring meeting.

"This marks the beginning of a very important chapter in our history here at Santa Anita,” Santa Anita President George Haines commented about the project. “There is a great deal of anticipation from all corners of the Thoroughbred industry and we're very excited to get this project underway and to return to live racing.”

In 2007, the California Horse Racing Board required Santa Anita to build a synthetic main track and in order not to breach the CHRB regulations, the horse racing track has asked the CHRB to waiver the mandate. Santa Anita authorities are working with the California Thoroughbred Trainers and the CHRB to reach an agreement on the soils.

Ted Malloy, an expert in horse racing track installation was called to Santa Anita to oversee the project. He commented that it will take about two weeks to remove the synthetic material and then they will start working on the organic base. Until then, Santa Anita will be closed for training but open for simulcast wagering in other horse racing tracks in the USA.