Del Mar, Hollywood reach out to Oak Tree
By Steve Andersen
Officials with Del Mar and Hollywood Park have informed the Oak Tree Racing Association that their racetracks are available for a race meeting in October if Oak Tree is unable to reach an agreement with Magna International Development on a lease at Santa Anita later this year.
Last week, MID, the parent company of Santa Anita's owner Magna Entertainment, voided its lease with Oak Tree, which hosts an annual fall meeting at Santa Anita.
MID chief executive officer Dennis Mills declined on Friday to state what terms MID wants from Oak Tree in a new lease. Officials with Oak Tree and MID are expected to discuss new lease terms in coming weeks. Oak Tree has leased Santa Anita for its annual fall meeting since 1969.