• HOME
  • THINGS TO DO, SEE & TASTE
  • LIFE & STYLE
    • BOOKS & MUSIC
    • FITNESS, HEALTH, GROOMING & SPORTS
    • HOW TO ~ SERVICES ~ MAINTENANCE
    • THE PERFECT GIFT
  • BE IN TOUCH
  The Sophisticated Gentleman

And They're Off: The Breeder's Cup at Santa Anita Park

10/30/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
Serenely nestled at the foot of the picturesque San Gabriel mountains in Arcadia, California, sits The Great Race Place: Santa Anita Park. With neighboring streets with names like Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard and Princeton, you should keep in mind that, if not careful, by day's end at this sportsman's paradise, the money potentially lost could very well pay for your child's tuition to any one of the similarly-named august institutions. 

While this December (the 25th), will mark the 80th anniversary of this venerable thoroughbred racetrack, which has hosted many champion racehorses and been the backdrop for numerous films, it is tomorrow, Friday, October 31st, and Saturday, November 1st, which are most important to the racing world at large. The Breeder's Cup World Championship With a purse of $5 million, it is touted as being the richest race in America. 

With the closure of Hollywood Park last December (after 75 years) and more recently, the Pomona Fairplex, just a few miles east of here, Santa Anita has pulled into the lead as the remaining true champion of West Coast racing. Of course, further south remains San Diego County's Del Mar, which was said to be a favorite of Old-Hollywood's crooner, Bing Crosby, but there's something special about Santa Anita. My late cousin, Barbara, (who celebrated her birthday here on several occasions and who passed away shortly before the ponies returned to Santa Anita last Christmas) loved going from Santa Anita to Hollywood Park to Del Mar and back again. As far as being dedicated to something or someone, she could have easily stood shoulder to shoulder with any diehard Grateful Dead fan.
Picture
I've lived in the Pasadena area all my life, and it wasn't until recently that I realized that The Park offers, every Saturday and Sunday during live racing season, a FREE, behind-the-scenes tour of the track's impeccable grounds  which covers the saddling paddock, stables, walking room and a few other points of interest. (When you first enter the main gate, I guarantee you'll be instantly reminded of Disneyland's front entrance, both in appearance and cleanliness.)

Our tour guide, Paige, who has worked at Santa Anita for over 30 years (she started at 16), definitely knows the ins and outs of The Park. The Seabiscuit Tram Tour leaves promptly at 8:30 & 9:45 a.m., on both days, and was more than worth the price of admission. (Oh wait, it was FREE! But you get my point.) The tour is about an hour and 15 minutes, after which you can have breakfast at The Clocker's Corner restaurant, just west of the Grandstand, or roam the grounds on your own and wait for the first race of the day at noon. I'm not much of a gambler, so I stayed for only two races, lost about $10 and swiftly left for fear of losing my shirt, as well as, my future child's college fund. Happy betting.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The behind-the-scenes tour guide, Paige. She provided quite a bit of information during the hour tour.
Picture
A fitting tribute to Seabiscuit.
Picture
"'Round and 'round we go..."
Picture
This entryway was featured prominently in the 2003 film, Seabiscuit, starring Tobey Maguire.
Picture
The jockeys' silks room.
Picture
Picture
All images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophisticated Gentleman.

Santa Anita Race Track
285 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7223
www.santaanita.com
(Live Racing Resumes December 26, 2014 - June 28, 2015)

Seabiscuit Tram Tours:
(Saturday & Sundays, during live Racing Seasons)
8:30 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. 
626-574-6677

HOURS:
Thursday: 11:00 – 5:30
Friday: 11:00 – 5:30
Saturday: 10:30 – 5:30
Sunday: 10:30 – 5:30

You May Also Like:
Walt Disney Concert Hall
LACMA: Friday Night Jazz
Date Night Fun: Altadena Stables

1 Comment
     INSTAGRAM

    SOPHISTICATED SITES:
    Architectural Digest
    Elle Decor

    Esquire
    GQ
    Interiors Magazine
    Polo Ralph Lauren

    The Rake
    Vanity Fair

    RSS Feed


    N.D. Harrington
    I was born in the country, but brought up in the big city, with hopes of always maintaining the charm, wit and character of a southern,      sophisticated
    gentleman. In my goal to live more  passionately & purposefully, here are just a few things  that  I've  learned and experienced along the way, making my journey more interesting, and more importantly, easier.
    Picture
       

    Categories:

    All
    Accoutrement
    Activities & Entertainment
    Art & Photography
    Books Films Music
    Charitable Causes
    Color Me Sophisticated
    Date Night
    Fitness Grooming Health
    Food & Drink
    How To & Services
    Interiors
    Miscellanies
    Planes Trains Automobiles
    Poems/Quotes
    Ralph Lauren
    Sports
    Style
    The Perfect Gift
    The Sophisticated Couple
    The Sophisticated Gentleman
    The Sophisticated Lady
    The Sophisticated Youth
    Travel


    Archives

    August 2015
    July 2015
    October 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.