From the Executive Office of Doug BurgeExecutive Corner
From the Executive Office of Doug Burge
Setting the Standard
The tenth annual California Cup was once again a huge success. As one of the biggest and
most popular days of the Oak Tree meeting, Cal Cup continues to be the finest celebration
of the Thoroughbred Industry in the state. The on-track attendance of 31,047 was the
largest since Cal Cup 1995, and the handle of over $15,500,000 was the third largest in
Cup history. The impressive handle can be attributed to the large, competitive fields that
are always prevalent on Cal Cup Day.
Although five California-bred divisional leaders opted to run a week later in the
Breeders' Cup, Cal Cup proved again the depth in quality and competitiveness of Cal-breds
and was displayed throughout an exciting day of racing. The CTBA and Santa Anita Racing
Department performed a magnificent job of securing nearly 90 horses for the 10 races.
In the days of continuous short fields, particularly in stakes races, Cal Cup is a breath of fresh air for racing. With an average of 8.7 horses competing in the 10 races, it is easy to see why Cal Cup stacks up with the best days of racing in state as well as the leader of state-bred days across the nation.
The tenth Cal Cup bolstered record total purses to $1.275 million, the largest of any state-bred day in the United States. The on-track attendance and total handle also places Cal Cup at the top. Restricted state-bred races are vital fixtures in most racing states and are important to the growth and success of their respective breeding programs. Cal Cup has been a mainstay over the past decade and remains one of the nation's leaders in state-bred racing days.
The Annual election of CTBA Directors will take place in
the next month. Seven members are running for five vacancies. The bios and statements of
these seven candidates begin on page 86 or (click here).
The ballots will be mailed this month, and I hope all members take the time to cast your
vote. The Directors are important to the leadership and direction of the Association, and
all members are asked to take the time to cast your ballot. The results of the election,
as always, will be announced at the annual meeting in February.
Here is wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a prosperous year ahead.
-Doug Burge