Santa Anita, jockeys in fund-raising drive for Haiti

The Santa Anita jockey colony and track management, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will coordinate fund-raising efforts Sunday to assist victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on Tuesday.

In a statement, the track's president, Ron Charles, said Santa Anita began planning relief efforts the day of the quake, and were soon joined by jockeys. Charles was contacted Thursday by jockey Alex Solis, who said "a number of jockeys would be interested in donating mount fees or a percentage of their winnings . . . to try and help."

Charles subsequently contacted the Arcadia chapter of the American Red Cross, which agreed to coordinate the fund-raising drive. Red Cross volunteers will be at Santa Anita on Sunday, and the public is invited to join relief efforts by collecting donations.