A Really Important Santa Anita Derby

Saturday could mark a turning point for both and Arcadia’s economy.

This city has relied on the legendary racetrack to draw consumers and provide tax revenue since it first opened on Christmas Day in 1934.

It’s no secret the track has been facing economic difficulties and declining attendance in recent years. On top of that came negative newspaper stories in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times about horse deaths following the during filming at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita owner brought in successful Southern California entrepreneur last month and made him the CEO. His orders were to bring in more people, and thus more money.

The big test is Saturday, when the will take place. Not only will the winner of the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds become one of the favorites to win the Kentucky Derby on May 5, the size of the crowd will determine how well Verge’s efforts are doing.

“I’ve pulled out all stops, reached out to all my contacts, done everything I can to generate interest in the Santa Anita Derby,” Verge said. “I’ve done deals with  media friends such as Tim Conway Jr. and Neil Everett of ESPN.

“We have a T-shirt giveaway, we have a guaranteed $750,000 late Pick 4, we have a 5K run in the morning. We have good races, we should have great  weather. We rely very heavily on Arcadia and surrounding communities for support, and we really need it Saturday.”

You may have noticed the full-page ads running in the Sports sections of the Times, Star-News and other Southland newspapers. Verge said horse owners Paul Reddam and Glenn Sorgenstein are paying for the ads.

The Santa Anita Derby, which will go off as the sixth race at 2:46 p.m., will be part of national television horse racing coverage on NBC that runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. It is one of four stakes races on an 11-race card that begins at noon. Creative Cause is the 6-5 favorite, and I’ll Have Another, at odds of 5-2, are given the best chance of winning the Santa Anita Derby.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, on March 25 in Dubai, has three horses in the Derby. Of the three, Liaison, at 8-1, has the best chance of winning.

“We were hoping Liaison would run a little better last time,” Baffert said, referring to a fourth-place finish 5½  lengths behind Creative Cause in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes on March 10. “He likes a little farther distance. I think the mile and an eighth will suit him better.”

Maybe a good omen came Thursday when jockey Joe Talamo, a Louisiana native who is only 22, notched his 1,000th career victory aboard Splendid Fortune in the fourth race.

Fans in attendance Saturday, hoping to make even a small fortune, will be keeping their eyes on the tote board for odds and payoffs. Verge no doubt will have his eyes on the stands and parking lot, hoping that both are full.