Santa Anita opens Truman Library for backstretch workers

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita has opened a library in the stable area for backstretch employees, dedicating the space in memory of Eddie Truman, a retired trainer who died in December.

The Eddie Truman Library will be based in a backstretch recreation center and will include books donated by Truman. The library will include titles in English and Spanish and feature educational materials as well as works of fiction and non-fiction, according to a statement released last weekend by Santa Anita.

The track is accepting book donations at the security booth at gate 8, off Baldwin Ave.

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The library’s creation was announced last Friday during a memorial for Truman held at Santa Anita.

Truman died at the age of 77 on Dec. 11. He trained for 50 years in Southern California, winning 763 races. Truman retired in January 2023 to devote more time to family and travel.

Aside from training, Truman was a former board member of the California Thoroughbred Trainers association, taking an active role in the welfare of backstretch employees.

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