Fan arrested after running onto training track

ARCADIA, Calif. – A fan who ran onto the training track and was apprehended by Santa Anita security forces shortly before Friday's third race is a minor who will be charged with interfering with a sporting event, a misdemeanor, and was turned over to the Arcadia Police Department for processing, Mike Pytel, an investigator with Santa Anita's security department, said Friday.

According to Pytel, the patron is 17 years old and got into the track using fake identification that said he was 20 years old; minors are not allowed at the track unless accompanied by an adult. Pytel said because he is a minor, he cannot be publicly identified.

Pytel said the patron lives in the San Diego area. He said he "seemed a little intoxicated."

"He'll be prosecuted and turned over to mommy and daddy. If they don't pick him up, he'll go to juvenile hall," Pytel said.

Accoding to Pytel, the patron accessed the training track by first crossing the main track and then the turf course in upper stretch. He was spotted when running down the training track toward the finish line. He was wearing gray jeans and did not have shoes on.

He initially was coaxed from the training track to the turf course by security officer Ben Denovel, who is stationed near the finish line and reacted quickly by running across the main track to the turf course. After moving toward Denovel, the patron attempted to get away and Denovel had to wrestle him to the ground, as the third race was about to start.

Several other security officers arrived shortly thereafter and assisted Denovel in handcuffing the patron behind his back while he was laying face down on the turf course while the race was being run. He was then escorted from the turf course to the track's security office and then turned over to Arcadia police.