Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park

During the 1960's, Santa Anita Park, located in Arcadia, California, endured a major renovation. The renovations expanded the grandstand and added major seating additions. In 1968, Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego also made changes and relinquished its autumn meeting dates. This prompted a group of horseman, which included Clement Hirsch, to establish the not-for-profit Oak Tree Racing Association. Clement Hirsch was a leading trainer during this time and worked with veterinarian Dr. Jack Robbins as well as several other horsemen and horseracing fans. Together, the group decided that since Del Mar had effectively ended live racing in Southern California for the autumn meet, they would hold an autumn meet of their own elsewhere. Because Oak Tree did not have any facilities, it rented Santa Anita Park for their autumn meet in 1969.

Dr. Jack Robbins became the founding director and president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. The association had decided against purchasing a racetrack or building one, so they chose to rent Santa Anita. They remain at the park until this day and their autumn meet is called "Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park." Their autumn meets are considered to be the finest in the country and they are especially well-known for their excellent turf racing.

Since that time, Oak Tree has now become a large operator at Santa Anita Park and operates the autumn meet. The meet runs from the end of September through November. There are several races that are held during this time and Oak Tree is scheduled to host the Breeders' Cup in 2008. It has hosted the two day event three times in the past including the 1986, 1993 and 2003 meetings. Oak Tree also hosts several prep races and qualifying races prior to the Breeders' Cup as well.

Oak Tree will host the 25th Breeders' Cup meet from October 24th to October 25th. The Oak Tree autumn meet ends on October 26th. Oak Tree at Santa Anita has also been selected to host the Breeders' Cup in 2009 for a second consecutive year.

The Oak Tree meets will also gain the added benefit of new renovations to Santa Anita prior to the Breeders' Cup, as the park is installing a pro-ride synthetic surface. The track will undergo a complete overhaul and will be reconstituted with Pro-Ride Synthetic. The material comes from an Australian-based company. The track's renovation requires removing the asphalt base, adding a new grid base material and then treating the track with binder and fiber.

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