Photo:

Santa Anita / Benoit Photo

Among the more than 100,000 people who have been evacuated from their homes due to the ongoing Eaton Fire includes many in the Santa Anita community.

As of Friday morning, more than 13,900 acres had burned in areas around Santa Anita Park. Thankfully, the track itself and the more than 1,800 horses stabled on the grounds have not been threatened.

Still, the impact has been devastating for many at Santa Anita. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the Eaton fire since it began on Tuesday evening, according to media reports. Agent Mike Ciani confirmed two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez is among those who have lost their home from the fire. Many others have had to flee their residences and simply hope for the best.

Among those forced to evacuate were trainers Michael McCarthy, Phil D’Amato, Dan Blacker and Tim Yakteen. Blacker, who is married to FanDuel TV on-air personality Christina Blacker, said he and his family evacuated their Pasadena home near where the Eaton Fire started on Tuesday night.

“My family is fine. Our house is fine,” Blacker said. “We still haven’t gone back as the power is still out. The whole thing is so sad. I’m just thankful we’re all OK and the horses here are all Ok. There are a lot of houses near ours that just aren’t there anymore.”

Yakteen had to leave his home in Monrovia along with wife Millie Ball, who is part of Santa Anita’s on-air simulcast team, and their two sons.

“We had to evacuate and are still without power, but it’s nothing compared to what some of these other families have had to endure. We’re very fortunate,” Yakteen said.

The Eaton Fire forced all training activities at Santa Anita to be canceled Wednesday. Santa Anita also notified trainers that if they wanted to voluntarily evacuate their horses they would be relocated to another CHRB-sanctioned facility.

On Thursday and Friday mornings, training at Santa Anita was limited to joggers and gallopers due to the poor air quality. Officials canceled Friday racing on Thursday afternoon, and announced Saturday morning that Saturday and Sunday racing was canceled. Saturday’s card featured the California Cup races, while Sunday’s card featured the Las Cienegas (G3), a downhill sprint for fillies and mares.