STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN FRIDAY, JAN. 10, 2025

Photo: Brandon O'Bryan

• SANTA ANITA COMMUNITY FEELS THE IMPACT OF EATON FIRE • GEORGE WOOLF MEMORIAL JOCKEY AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED • CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR STUTE’S SUNDAY AT CLOCKERS’ CORNER

SANTA ANITA COMMUNITY FEELS THE IMPACT OF DEVASTATING EATON FIRE Among the more than 100,000 people who have been evacuated from their homes due to the ongoing Eaton Fire includes many in the Santa Anita community.

As of Friday morning, more than 13,900 acres had burned in areas around Santa Anita Park. Thankfully, the track itself and the more than 1,800 horses stabled on the grounds have not been threatened.

Still, the impact has been devastating for many at Santa Anita. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the Eaton fire since it began on Tuesday evening, according to media reports. Agent Mike Ciani confirmed two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez is among those who have lost their home from the fire. Many others have had to flee their residences and simply hope for the best.

Among those forced to evacuate were trainers Michael McCarthy, Phil D’Amato, Dan Blacker and Tim Yakteen. Blacker, who is married to FanDuel TV on-air personality Christina Blacker, said he and his

“My family is fine. Our house is fine,” Blacker said. “We still haven’t gone back as the power is still out. The whole thing is so sad. I’m just thankful we’re all OK and the horses here are all Ok. There are a lot of houses near ours that just aren’t there anymore.”

Yakteen had to leave his home in Monrovia along with wife Millie Ball, who is part of Santa Anita’s on-air simulcast team, and their two sons.

“We had to evacuate and are still without power, but it’s nothing compared to what some of these other families have had to endure. We’re very fortunate,” Yakteen said.

The Eaton Fire forced all training activities at Santa Anita to be canceled Wednesday. Santa Anita also notified trainers that if they wanted to voluntarily evacuate their horses they would be relocated to another CHRB-sanctioned facility.

On Thursday and Friday mornings, training at Santa Anita was limited to joggers and gallopers due to the poor air quality. Then on Thursday afternoon, track officials announced the 10-race card scheduled for Friday would be postponed until next Thursday. The status of Saturday’s card, which is California Cup Day at Santa Anita, will be made later Friday.

“Santa Anita has done a great job keeping everyone informed,” Blacker said. “We’ve also had the fire marshal here keeping everyone informed. It’s not an easy process to navigate. As concerning as all this has been, everything here seems like it’s getting back to normal.”

FINALISTS FOR GEORGE WOOLF MEMORIAL JOCKEY AWARD ANNOUNCED

Five of the nation’s top riders have been nominated for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita Park.

Jockeys Kendrick Carmouche, James Graham, Brian Hernandez, Jr., Juan Hernandez and Alfredo Juarez have been named the finalists for the 2025 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita.

Since 1950, the Woolf Award has honored riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing. One of the most prestigious awards in horse racing, the Woolf Award can only be won once.

Hernandez, a 32-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico, is based at Santa Anita. He has won seven riding titles at Santa Anita since the 2021-22 Winter-Spring meet.

The 2024 Woof Award was won by Junior Alvarado. The 2025 winner will be announced in February.

Regarded as one of the greatest big-money riders of his era, George Woolf was a household word by virtue of winning the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap aboard Azucar on Feb. 23, 1935, and for his association with the immortal Seabiscuit, whom he rode to victory over Triple Crown champion War Admiral in a 1 3/16-mile match race at Pimlico Race Course on Nov. 1, 1938. Affectionately known as “The Iceman,” Woolf was revered by his fellow riders, members of the media and millions of racing fans across America as a fierce competitor and consummate professional.

FINISH LINES: Trainer Tim McCanna had his first two wins of the Classic Meet Sunday. McCanna won the second race with Grubauer ($2.80), ridden by Assael Espinoza, and came right back in the third race to score with Nameless ($6.40) under Frank Alvarado… There will be a Celebration of Life at Clockers’ Corner Sunday for late trainer Mel Stute and his wife Annabelle starting at 9 a.m.