Santa Anita to slash overnight purses by 10 per cent during Oak Tree meeting

ARCADIA, Calif. - A downturn in wagering as a result of the sluggish economy is forcing Santa Anita to slash its overnight purses by 10 per cent at the Oak Tree meeting.

The reductions take effect Saturday.

Track officials said Wednesday that through the first 16 days of racing, Oak Tree's overall pari-mutuel wagering was down 12 per cent compared to last year.

The meeting began Sept. 30 and runs through Nov. 8, including the Breeders' Cup world championships on Nov. 6 and 7, the two richest days in thoroughbred racing.

Oak Tree director Sherwood Chillingworth said unemployment in Los Angeles County is near 13 per cent, which has negatively affected wagering.