o our loyal readers, as well as those of you who are receiving our annual Paddock magazine for the first time, we welcome you all to our publication’s 31st edition. Your interest in Paddock denotes you are a person who cares about the horse racing industry and deserve to be kept abreast of matters affecting horse racing – old and new. We are reasonably certain that a large percentage of Paddock readers know that in 2010, the Oak Tree Racing Association was not granted racing dates for the first time in 43 years as a result of Santa Anita Park cancelling our lease, and of course we were extraordinarily disappointed. It was the decision of the Oak Tree board that we are determined to return to racing in Southern California as soon as possible. Oak Tree has brought to California outstanding racing including five Breeders’ Cups, and has given tens of millions of dollars in support of charitable institutions and a myriad of other horse-related organizations. Many people working in the industry have benefited from the services of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, Winners’ Foundation, jockey-oriented groups and medical research that helps horses and, more recently, the horse-rescue organizations. Oak Tree has been low-key in making these gifts and perhaps that is our error in not seeking credit for these contributions. Finally, we believe Oak Tree deserves to return to the Southern California schedule. We are not just standing idle, hoping to return; we are determined to return. In this effort, we propose working with the California Horse Racing Board and other industry bodies to which some of you belong. If you believe in Oak Tree’s value to all elements of our industry, we would appreciate your support in succeeding in this process. We thank you for whatever advice you can provide.
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www.oaktreeracing.com
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