Business & Tech

Santa Anita Reacts with 'Dismay, Sorrow' at 'Luck' Cancellation

Horse owner Mark Verge, speaking for the Stronach Group, called the cancellation a "missed opportunity."

Officials at issued a formal statement of disappointment with in the wake of three horse deaths during production.

The full statement follows.

Santa Anita officials and horsemen reacted with dismay and sorrow upon the news of the highly publicized equine fatality here on Tuesday morning and the subsequent decision Wednesday by HBO to cease production on season-two of LUCK.

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“All of us here at Santa Anita, including horsemen, management and employees are deeply saddened by the stable area accident which resulted in the death of a horse being used in the production of LUCK here on Tuesday morning,” said Thoroughbred horse owner Mark Verge, speaking on behalf of the Stronach Group.  “While it was the totally unpredictable result of the filly being frightened and then flipping over backwards as she was being hand-walked to her stall, we nonetheless feel badly for the horse and all of those involved with her care.

“As for the decision by HBO to cease production on LUCK, that is obviously their decision alone.  While many have expressed disappointment in the direction some of the characters and episodes had gone, we feel badly that so many LUCK-related jobs have now been eliminated.

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“Going in, we felt this was a great opportunity to reach a younger demographic and in many cases, expose them to our great sport for the first time.  Although Santa Anita looked magnificent on screen it’s safe to say this is a missed opportunity on several levels.”

You can read Arcadia Patch's previous coverage of Luck below:





Check back later today for reaction from people at Santa Anita on how the cancellation will affect the local race track.


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