Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a Lexington, Kentucky-based nonprofit that distributes grants to organizations that re-home retired thoroughbreds, will be on-site at Santa Anita Park on Sept. 28 for the inaugural California Crown, officials announced Wednesday.
“We’re excited to host the inaugural California Crown and partner with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to highlight accredited aftercare,” Santa Anita Park General Manager Nate Newby said in a statement. “This event spotlights the best of California racing, and collaborating with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance provides a great opportunity for race fans and participants to learn more about the mission to support thoroughbreds after racing.”
Following the running of the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes, winning connections will be presented with a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-branded blanket and gift bag in the winner’s circle, and a check presentation will be made from 1/ST Racing — which owns Santa Anita — to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
The Kentucky-based group accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Officials said that since its inception in 2012, the organization has granted more than $31.9 million to accredited aftercare organizations.
“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to be part of the inaugural California Crown,” said Emily Dresen, the group’s director of Funding & Events. “Presenting the Best Turned Out awards with LRF Cares is a great way to showcase the importance of horse care both before and after the track.”
California Crown Day is headlined by the $1 million California Crown at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita main track, which is also a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2.
Overall, California Crown day will offer more than $3 million in elevated purses.
In recent years, Santa Anita officials have touted safety improvements that have brought down the annual number of fatalities since 2019, when at least 42 horses died at the track, sparking debate about safety issues at Santa Anita and about horse racing in general.