The LA County Department of Health temporarily suspended racing at Santa Anita on Friday ahead of the day’s first scheduled race. 

The TOC, in conjunction with Stronach Group and the California Thoroughbred Trainers, states: “The revenue generated from continued live racing at Santa Anita is critical for the thoroughbred ecosystem to keep these backstretch workers employed.

"If there is a prolonged period of no racing many of these jobs will certainly be eliminated and up to 1,000 people could be added to the current LA homeless problem.”  

Other California tracks have continued live horses including Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, which like Santa Anita is owned by Stronach Group. 

Elsewhere in the US, the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park ran on Saturday with no fans.