Santa Anita to get new track superintendent

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita soon will name a new track superintendent following the resignation of Richard Tedesco from the position he held during a tumultuous four years. Tedesco gave 30-day notice when he tendered his resignation in May. His final day at Santa Anita is Friday.

The departure of Tedesco comes while Santa Anita attempts to lower the silt-clay content in its main track. A dirt surface was re-installed in 2010 to replace two types of synthetic surfaces (Cushion Track andPro-Ride) that did not perform to expectations. But the new dirt surface also was problematic and ended up with excessive silt-clay content.

Tedesco partially alleviated the problem in winter by adding sand to the track. His positive reputation among horsemen and management helped ease a frequently volatile situation while surface issues were addressed. Tedesco said this week the move to synthetic might have been less troublesome had there been consistency between tracks.

“They should have all been compatible,” Tedesco said. “Every track should have been the same.” Santa Anita currently has dirt, Hollywood Park has Cushion Track, and Del Mar has Polytrack.

Tedesco, 73, will continue as track superintendent at Del Mar, where he was hired one year ago. “I’m going to be working for Del Mar as much as they need me,” he said.

According to Ted Malloy, track consultant for Santa Anita owner MI Developments, a formal announcement regarding Tedesco’s replacement is forthcoming.