Santa Anita

Santa Anita via Google Earth

History

Santa Anita Park opened in 1934 in Arcadia, California. It is the oldest racecourse on the west coast of the United States.

Santa Anita Park was instrumental for many advances in the sport such as photo finishes and starting gates. World renowned champion, Sea Biscuit was the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in his last race ever. Racing was put on hold during the World War II when the racecourse was used as an assembly centre for Americans of Japanese descent.

Santa Anita Park underwent major alternations in the 1960?s. The grandstand was renovated and the entire park enjoyed much improved seating additions.

It was proposed in 2006 that Santa Anita Park be closed down and a new mall built in its place. The proposal was not accepted and the track continues to gain in popularity amongst racing enthusiasts.

Facilities

The San Gabriel Mountains serve as the backdrop to this beautiful racecourse.

There is a 1 mile synthetic main course which encircles a turf course of 7 furlongs. It also has a unique hillside turf track of approximately 6.5 furlongs. Santa Anita replaced its dirt track with Cushion Track as per state mandate in 2007. This Cushion Track course caused Santa Anita Park to lose 11 race dates in 2008 because of poor drainage. Management decided to replace the Cushion Track surface with that of Pro Ride, a synthetic surface manufactured in Australia.

Santa Anita Park sits on 320 acres. The grandstand can seat 26 000 people, with the venue being able to accommodate 50 000 visitors. There are 61 barns which can stable 2000 horses as well as an equine clinic. For interests sake ? there is no 13th horse stall at Santa Anita Park as the number 13 is considered unlucky by those who are superstitious. Therefore there is a number 12 stall, a number 12a stall and a number 14.

Santa Anita - Notable Races

Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap

Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes

Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap

Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap

La Brea Stakes

Las Virgenes Stakes

Malibu Stakes

Santa Anita Derby

Santa Anita Handicap

Santa Anita Oaks

Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap

Santa Maria Handicap

Santa Monica Handicap

Yellow Ribbon Stakes

Santa Anita - Contact Details

Santa Anita Park is located at 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California, 91007

The ticket office can be contacted by email on ticket_office@santaanita.com or for general enquiries their telephone number is 626-574-7233