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Santa Anita To Continue Successful ‘Ship & Win’ Program For Upcoming Autumn Meet

Encouraged by the tremendous success it has helped spark at the current Del Mar summer race meeting, officials at Santa Anita have announced the popular “Ship & Win” program, which began this past May at Santa Anita, will continue to be in effect through the Arcadia, Calif., track's upcoming 2021 autumn meet, which opens on Friday, Oct. 1.

“This program has proven to be a primary driver in our efforts to bring horses to California from all over the nation,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita director of racing and racing secretary. “We started to see some horses coming here in May and June and Del Mar has done a tremendous job of recruiting, which we are confident is going to be of significant benefit to the entire circuit here. Along with Del Mar, the Thoroughbred Owners of California have been very supportive in the implementation of Ship & Win and it's great to have all of us working together for the benefit of racing in California.”

The Ship & Win program, which provides a $3,000 bonus and a 35 percent increase in purse earnings for any horse that has not run in California for one year, augments significant purse increases which have been instituted in 2021 at both Santa Anita and Del Mar.

Additionally, any new out-of-state horses coming to Santa Anita which meet requirements or which have made their first start in the Del Mar Ship & Win program, remain eligible for the same benefits in their first start at Santa Anita.

“We are greatly encouraged by recent trends here in California,” said Merz. “There's no question that horsemen around the country are realizing that our purses and incentives are making racing here a much more compelling enterprise. Field size is up at Del Mar and that of course drives pari-mutuel handle.

“With everything that's in place now, our sport is poised to grow in very significant ways and that's great news for our horseplayers, owners and horsemen, as we're providing better and better gambling opportunities while attracting quality horses. We're anxious for everyone to return here in September and we're looking forward to a big meet starting Oct. 1.”

For more information on Santa Anita's Ship & Win program, please contact the Santa Anita Racing Office at (626) 574- 6352.

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Santa Anita to Offer ‘Ship & Win’ in Fall

Santa Anita will continue the “Ship & Win” program this fall at the Autumn Meet, which opens Friday, Oct. 1. The program began this past May at the Arcadia track, is currently a part of Del Mar's summer meet, and will continue through the fall. “Ship & Win” provides a $3,000 bonus and a 35% increase in purse earnings for any horse that has not run in California for one year. In addition, any new out-of-state horses coming to Santa Anita which meet requirements or which have made their first start in the Del Mar “Ship & Win” program remain eligible for the same benefits in their first start at Santa Anita.

“This program has proven to be a primary driver in our efforts to bring horses to California from all over the nation,” said Santa Anita's director of racing and racing secretary, Chris Merz. “We started to see some horses coming here in May and June and Del Mar has done a tremendous job of recruiting, which we are confident is going to be of significant benefit to the entire circuit here. Along with Del Mar, the Thoroughbred Owners of California [TOC] have been very supportive in the implementation of 'Ship & Win' and it's great to have all of us working together for the benefit of racing in California.”

More information is available through the Santa Anita Racing Office at (626) 574- 6352.

The post Santa Anita to Offer ‘Ship & Win’ in Fall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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John Shear Retires

John Shear, Santa Anita's 100-year-old Paddock Captain, announced his retirement Monday after 60 years of service at the Arcadia track.

“It's official, I have retired from work,” Shear wrote in a tweet Monday. “For 60 years, I worked all the Southern California racetracks, met many incredible people and saw the best horses. It has been a career I look back [upon] with great pride and wonderful memories. I'm in great health and will visit Santa Anita as a fan.”

Santa Anita will honor the man who gained national attention nine years ago when he heroically threw himself between an on-rushing loose horse and a 5-year-old girl, with a special paddock dedication and ceremony on opening day of the 2021 Autumn Meet Oct. 1.

The post John Shear Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Santa Anita’s Beloved Paddock Captain John Shear Retires At Age 100

The news came in a twitter post this past Monday. John Shear, Santa Anita's 100-year-old Paddock Captain, made it official as he announced his retirement from The Great Race Place following more than 60 years of great memories and dedicated service.

“It's official, I have retired from work,” Shear wrote. “For 60 years, I worked all the Southern California racetracks, met many incredible people and saw the best horses. It has been a career I look back (upon) with great pride and wonderful memories. I'm in great health and will visit Santa Anita as a fan.”

Accordingly, Santa Anita will honor the man who gained national attention nine years ago when he heroically threw himself between an on-rushing loose horse and a 5-year-old girl who was standing beside her father just outside the track's Seabiscuit Walking Ring with a special Paddock dedication and ceremony on opening day of the 2021 Autumn Meet on Friday, Oct. 1.

A commemorative plaque honoring Shear's decades-long commitment to customer service and safety will be unveiled in Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens area and Shear will be feted in a Winner's Circle ceremony as well.

Sidelined due to COVID-related restrictions at the track earlier in the year, Shear was reluctant to call it a career, but decided over the weekend to contact his union local and at last enjoy the benefits of retirement.

“John really wanted to go back to work this year, but with COVID basically shutting things down, it just wasn't possible,” said his wife Diane by phone from their home in nearby Sierra Madre on Tuesday. “He misses the horses and the people so much. The fans, the jockeys, the trainers, everybody, it's just been his life forever. We're thrilled to learn that Santa Anita is going to honor him in this way and we can't wait to come out on Oct. 1. It should be a great day.”

Orphaned as a young boy in his native England, Shear, at four feet, 11 inches, originally aspired to be a jockey and following service in World War II, he emigrated to Vancouver, B.C., from where he came to Santa Anita for the first time as an exercise boy in 1954.

“I was exercising horses for a guy in Vancouver and he asked me if I'd like to go with him to Santa Anita that fall,” said Shear when interviewed prior to his 100th birthday this past January. “I said, 'Sure,' and as soon as I stepped off that van in the Stable Area here, is said 'Lord, this is where I want to be.' The place was so incredibly beautiful and I've never gotten tired of it.”

A big believer in daily exercise, Shear, who remains a svelte 104 pounds, had this simple advice for a long life prior to his 99th birthday:

“Find something you love, stay positive and exercise!”

Aye aye Captain and we'll see you on Oct. 1!

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