Santa Anita will cease racing effective immediately, after holding discussions with Los Angeles county officials on Friday.

The track made the announcement in a statement texted to horsemen at 12:25 p.m., Friday, less than an hour before the day’s first race.

The track was preparing for an eight-race program to begin at 1 p.m. when word was received that the track would not be allowed to operate because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was not immediately clear when racing would be allowed to resume racing.

An article will be available later this afternoon on DRF.com.