McCarron’s Rebuttal to Stevens’ Comment

I feel compelled to respond to the comments made by Gary Stevens in Bill Christine’s article (Stevens Returns After Having Security Concerns, Feb. 14).

Gary stated that “there have been some cutbacks made at the track, and on slow days there aren’t as many security people as they usually have.”

Does anybody think that it takes as many security officers to handle a crowd of 4,000 as it does to handle 20,000? I think not.

The security force at Santa Anita Park is substantial. To compare Santa Anita to Saratoga Race Course, where the jockeys actually walk through the grandstand crowd, is comparing apples to oranges and totally unfair.

Gary does get asked every day for autographs. It’s the credit he deserves for his success on the track and the great job he did in “Seabiscuit.” It’s also the territory that comes with fame.

I rode races at Santa Anita Park for 24 years and had to tolerate the “boo-birds” just like every jockey does. During that time, I always felt confident in the Santa Anita security force and now that I am working here, I must say how proud I am of the work they do. Jockey and patron safety is Job 1.

Chris McCarron

Vice President-GM

Santa Anita Park

Arcadia