That didn't take long

About three hours after I wrote my column for today's editions, dealing with free Fridays at the upcoming Santa Anita meet, upcoming staff reductions and the strong possibility of purse cuts, the Daily Racing Form reported that Santa Anita has cut overnight purses about 10 percent.

Allowance and maiden special weight races will be cut less than maiden claiming and straight claiming events. Del Mar had to cut purses during its summer meet, and Hollywood Park has cut purses three times during its current autumn meet -- twice because of the economy.