Santa Anita Park was opened on December 25, 1934 and is the oldest racetrack in Southern California. Gold prospector Lucky Baldwin initially founded a racetrack on the present site in Arcadia outside of Los Angeles in the 1800s but it later closed. In 1933, California legalized parimutuel wagering and several investor groups worked furiously to open racetracks. In the San Francisco Area, a group headed by and Dr. Charles H ("Doc") Strub was having trouble locating a site. In the Los Angeles area a group headed by movie producer Hal Roach was in need of further funds. These two groups combined and the newly-formed Los Angeles Turf Club reopened the track on Christmas Day in 1934. In February of 1935, the first Santa Anita Handicap was run. The race's $100,000 purse, the largest of any race ever up until that time, produced its nickname the Big 'Cap.
The tunnel to glory with the unmistakable art deco structure kept in pristine condition.(note; Jdub's concrete co. had a hand in restoration. more info to follow)
It's a shame us Americans don't revere our history as much as we should, yet there are gems to be found still. In my opinion where we have come from/ where we've been/ what we've done, is absolutely necessary information. If our leaders would learn from history we just might not be in such a pickle today.
The paddock.
Chantal Sutherland #1 Horse("Bel Air Sizzle") is a woman in a man's sport and while only getting a 'Show' in this race, she'd won an earlier one. There are Quite a few woman jockeys these days yet Diane Crump in 1969 was the 1st to win the Kentucky Derby.
Chantal post weigh in. I must say that she's got a major following as the crowd near me was ape shit for her. From what I hear, she's a sweetheart and a looker as well.
More power to her as well as the others.
Betty shows the reverence for history is not uniQue to only the architecture.
Thought For The day; "My favorite piece of music is the one we hear all the time...if we're quiet."
John Cage
