Track consultant Dennis Moore leaving Santa Anita

Dennis Moore is leaving his position as track consultant at Santa Anita on Dec. 31, he said on Friday.

Moore said that the decision has been planned for months.

“I gave them my notice in September,” he said. “I just turned 69, and when you get to that that age you start winding down.

“It was a hard decision. They’ve been good to me and I’ve enjoyed it. I’m proud of what we accomplished over there.”

Moore said he will be replaced by Andy LaRocco.

Moore said he will remain involved in track maintenance at Del Mar and Los Alamitos. Moore is also redeveloping the track at Arizona Downs in Prescott, Ariz., which will reopen next spring. The track was previously known as Yavapai Downs.

Moore was at Los Alamitos on Friday morning. He said one factor in leaving Santa Anita was the time commitment, which kept him away from his home for several nights a week.

“It was a day-to-day grind,” he said. “I was never home. I’ll be able to spend more time at home.”