For longtime Del Mar groom, horses are family

For longtime Del Mar groom, horses are family

DEL MAR – Over the years, Elias Anaya admits he has lost track of many members of his “family.” “There are so many in my family,” the 60-year-old Anaya said Thursday at the Del Mar Racetrack. “Maybe thousands. When you do this, you fall in love with them all.” For 35 years, Anaya has served the sport of racing as a groom. For 22 years, he worked for Bill Shoemaker. For the past 12, he has been part of trainer Doug O’Neill’s team. And his family …