Santa Anita – with $181G pick 6 carryover up for grabs – canceled racing yesterday because of rain, making the “all-weather” synthetic Cushion Track unusable because it doesn’t drain properly; eighth weather-related shutdown since meet began Dec. 26. Santa Anita doesn’t plan to race again until Friday while the track is renovated to correct drainage problem.

Ironically, this is the same time Thoroughbred Owners of California used its veto power to pull the plug on Santa Anita simulcasting to New York’s OTB network, saying OTB must pay same percentage as other wagering platforms, such as TVG, that serve multi-state customers via account wagering. NYC OTB counters that out-of-state account wagering is negligible amount of its handle; and besides, if dispute is over account wagering, why pull the plug on simulcasting to OTB parlors?

A year ago, Florida horsemen, also seeking a higher rate, withheld permission for Gulfstream Park to simulcast to New York OTB; that dispute lasted several weeks.

Want to know what else is wrong with the racing industry? They chose yesterday – Super Bowl Sunday! – to release names of 448 3-year-olds nominated to the Triple Crown.

FIRST RACE: Ready Enough, a 3-1 favorite under Norberto Arroyo Jr., trailed the field early, then moved off the rail down the backside while in behind a wall of horses. Rather than sweeping wide, a move that rarely works over the inner dirt track, Arroyo dropped back inside waiting for a hole to open, then gunned Ready Enough up fence in top of the stretch. At that same time, Legends Way, dueling for the lead, drifted over into Mr Tough Enough, forcing him in to bump Ready Enough, sandwiching him between Mr Tough Enough and the rail. After bouncing off both, under a gutsy ride by Arroyo, Ready Enough squeezed through to take command, then held off an outside rally of Wooden to the wire.

FIFTH RACE: Eventful heat. First, 99-1 Bildans Lad stumbled badly out of the gate, dumping apprentice Angel Arroyo. Then Royal Livingston was pulled up around the clubhouse turn by Ramon Dominguez and vanned off. Finally, Danemei, racing down toward the rail behind a wall of horses under apprentice Carol Cedeno, checked in traffic on far turn. An 8-5 favorite, Danemei, steadied again at the top of the stretch, looked to split horses but had no hole, swung out again looking for racing room, found it, kicked in late to run down Irving’s Run in a remarkable effort.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 1a-3-9-3-1-8

20 winners (6 of 6) each paid $11,026

410 consolation (5 of 6) each paid $141.50

No carryover