Santa Anita Horse Racing

Santa Anita Horse Racing

Santa Anita Park is located in Arcadia, California. It is the site that horseracing fans will never be able to forget after attending the park once. The track at Santa Anita is well known for its Art Deco façade and the background of the San Gabriel Mountains behind the track and turf. It is exquisitely beautiful. Opened for the first time on Christmas Day in 1934, it is California’s very largest racetrack.

California legalized pari-mutuel wagering in 1933 and the park was opened as soon as possible because there were some investor groups that requested this. In 1935, they ran the first Santa Anita Handicap with a purse of $100,000. It was the largest race up until that point and was nicknamed the "Bi 'Cap."

Santa Anita is responsible for introducing several innovations in the horse racing world. Many of which would go on to become a standard in horseracing including starting gates and photo finishes. These are used in every race. In 1940, Santa Anita Park saw Sea biscuit for his last start at the Santa Anita Handicap. During World War II all races were suspended. However, during that time the track was used from 1942 to 1945 for an assembly center for Japanese Americans.

In 1958, the track saw a record crowd of 61,123 people. They traveled from all parts of the country to watch Silky Sullivan in the 1958 Santa Anita Derby. The horse came from 28 lengths off the pace to win. In the '60s, there were renovations taking place on the track where they added major seating additions and also expanded the grandstand. It was also at this time that Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego was also making some changes.

What ended up happening was because of their renovations they decided to relinquish their autumn dates which made several jockeys really angry. In turn they developed the Oak Tree Racing Association which was a not-for-profit organization. They then decided to rent Santa Anita Park instead of building their own course. The idea was a smash and began holding some of the best and well recognized events ever including the Breeders' Cup on three occasions with two more scheduled for 2008 and 2009.

The track at Santa Anita is one mile long and made of synthetic on the main track and a turf course that measures just over 7 furlongs. This track also has a "downhill" turf course that also has a unique hillside that crosses the dirt and is used mainly to run 6 ½ furlong sprints. The synthetic track is one of the few of its kind in the United States.

There is a long but wonderful history behind Santa Anita Park as well as many successful horse races. It is extremely beautiful and is truly a one of a kind park. Annually, people from around the world frequent this park for special events in the world of horse racing. This is what has made Santa Anita so popular and famous throughout the years.