New Santa Anita owner ?

[Syncopate]

Interesting articl by Richard Eng in the Las Vegas Review Journal where he talks about two possible groups that may buy Santa Anita. One is something that's been speculated about before, an Indian tribe that would bring in slots that would in turn make Schwarzenegger happy with the increased state revenue, but the other I hadn't considered before-

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/wise-leaders ... 21067.html

A second group would be another long shot, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai. There are logical reasons for this, too.

Sheikh Mohammed will open the brilliant new Meydan Race Course in January 2010. The centerpiece of the racing will be the Dubai World Cup on March 27. The success of the meet is predicated on top American horses showing up. What better way to recruit talent than to own and operate the best American racetrack that also runs at that time of year, Santa Anita?

Another underlying reason is the track surface. Sheikh Mohammed is committed to installing an all-weather synthetic surface inside Meydan's massive turf course. If Jess Jackson, owner of Rachel Alexandra, mirrors other U.S. horse owners, that's not good for Meydan.

[Clockerbob]

I see and the purses offer at Dubai are not a factor.

[JDinSD77]

The federal government has final say over Indian affairs(with states allowed to enter into gambling "compacts" with the tribes that must be O.K.d). To my knowlege, no Native American tribe has installed slots on any NON-RESERVATION land without state, federal, AND a vote by the residents of the state. In San Diego, the Sycuan casino has bought land adjacent to their Reservation property, but has not been allowed to expand gambling beyond the Reservation property line. Even if a Native American tribe was to buy Santa Anita, it will take years to get all the approvals needed for slots(shoot, just look at New York who HAVE HAD IT APPROVED FOR A FEW YEARS and still have not installed slots at their tracks.) I'm hoping a group of rich horse owners who have RACING first in their hearts protect Ca. racing and operate the track as well as Del Mar is handled.

[Delmarjohn]

both ideas are bad ideas ...do not want the indians running any slots other than their reservations ,also ownership of SA should be someone local and not a sheik from the middle east....sometimes we act like whores and sell oursaelves to the highest bidder....and usually that is the worst case scenario

[Roys]

I don't think the Indians would be so bad. I don't know about elsewhere, but here in Arizona they do a first class job. The Casinos are landscaped and well-lit. The people are friendly, the facilities are clean and parking and admission is free. They offer transportation to and from your car and would probably give you a program as they know it is all the little extras that keep people coming back.

[Lurker]

I'm not sure there's anybody, not a shiek nor a tribal chief, that could stand up to the Arcadia city council and come away with their wishlist checked off when it comes to new construction and business license changes.

Perhaps SoCalFan or some other member of the local community there can elaborate some, but I think their reputation is that they are one tough group to deal with, and then some!

[So.cal.fan]

We haven't heard anything as of today, lurker.
I don't expect we will until Oak Tree opens, and the radio shows will probably break the news before then.
Last I heard was a group of horsemen were interested.
With all the problems in California, who knows?
I am surprised at nothing these days.

[Pointgiven3]

There was an article on drf.com a few days ago that mentioned Arnold Zetcher and a group of California based owners are interested in buying Santa Anita.

Linked: http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NI ... bs=0&arc=0

[So.cal.fan]

I just heard that a group of horsemen, including , are interested in forming a new corporation and taking over the track.

[Lurker]

I just heard that a group of horsemen, including , are interested in forming a new corporation and taking over the track.

Wouldn't you agree though that coming up with the right people and the funding is just part of the equation, that anybody who has visions of building more shopping mall, or condos, or a slots pavillion has a major battle ahead of them with the residents of Arcadia, Sierra Madre et al.

Very involved, coning city council that can make a developer's life hell, no?