Like clockwork, workouts times have trickled in from Southern California, along with photos and entries, and we have had our regular updates from trainers John Sadler and Michael McCarthy, catching up on the horses and upcoming races, just like normal. 

Except that these weeks haven’t been normal. As in life altering, life and death experiences that have been the new horrible normal in Los Angeles from ravaging wildfires. 

John was quick to address the elephant in the room. “Everyone at this racetrack has been evacuated, lost their home or is close to someone who has been through it all. It has all been more than a little bit unbelievable…in the worst way. “

And then John paused.

“But I want the partners to know that in the middle of all this, we’re here. We are at the barn every morning, at first ready to evacuate the horses, now to get them trained and cared for and prepped for racing. We are here and we’re not going anywhere. Please make sure the partners know that.”

The beat will go on this weekend at Santa Anita, including a scheduled workout from Kentucky Derby hopeful Bullard for the McCarthy barn, and Miles Finch running as the 6-to-5 favorite in Saturday’s 5th race for the Sadler team.

Meanwhile, the track parking lot has served as a massive donation center for people affected by the fires. Click here to watch CBS News coverage of that effort