PLAYHORSE MAGAZINE | HORSE RACING
Santa Anita Park: Hollywood Glamour, Seabiscuit and the Great Race Place
A California racing palace where movie stars, legendary Thoroughbreds and million-dollar dreams have mingled beneath the San Gabriel Mountains since 1934.
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA | HISTORY, RACING & THE FUTURE
There are beautiful racetracks, historic racetracks and fashionable racetracks. Then there is Santa Anita Park, which manages to be all three.
Set against the magnificent San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, just east of Los Angeles, Santa Anita Park has been one of the crown jewels of American Thoroughbred racing for more than nine decades. With its palms, distinctive architecture, beautifully landscaped grounds and rich Hollywood heritage, it is a place where the sport of kings meets the spirit of Southern California.
On a clear afternoon, the mountains rise beyond the backstretch, the grandstand casts its shadow over the racing oval, and the horses thunder toward the finish line in a setting that looks as though a Hollywood production designer dreamed it up.
But Santa Anita's remarkable story is not fictional. It includes a colorful land baron named Lucky Baldwin, a dentist with an extraordinary business instinct, some of the most famous movie stars of the twentieth century, and a little racehorse named Seabiscuit who helped restore America's optimism during the Great Depression.
Lucky Baldwin and the Original Santa Anita
The roots of Santa Anita reach back to Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin, one of the great characters of nineteenth-century California.
Baldwin was a businessman, investor, landowner and accomplished gambler who accumulated enormous wealth through mining investments and real estate. He acquired the sprawling Rancho Santa Anita in 1875 and became one of the most influential figures in the development of the San Gabriel Valley.
He was also a passionate horseman. Baldwin established a substantial breeding operation and developed an interest in racing that eventually led him to construct the original Santa Anita racetrack.
That first course opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1907, a short distance from the present facility. Its elaborate grandstand, distinctive towers and considerable stabling capacity reflected Baldwin's confidence in California's future.
Unfortunately, the operation was short-lived. Baldwin died in 1909, and California's restrictions on gambling effectively brought that era of racing to an end.
The Santa Anita story might have disappeared into history if it had not been for another ambitious Californian who recognized what Baldwin had started.
Dr. Charles Henry "Doc" Strub, a former dentist, baseball executive and energetic businessman, believed Southern California could support a world-class Thoroughbred racing facility.
Following the restoration of pari-mutuel wagering in California in 1933, Strub joined forces with Hollywood film producer Hal Roach and other investors to establish the Los Angeles Turf Club.
Their vision would transform an old racing tradition into a major American sporting institution.
Christmas Day, 1934: A Racing Palace Opens
Santa Anita Park officially opened on December 25, 1934, in the middle of the Great Depression. More than 30,000 spectators attended the inaugural program, including Hollywood celebrities eager to see the spectacular new racetrack.
Designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann, whose work also included important architectural elements of Hoover Dam, Santa Anita displayed a striking combination of Colonial Revival and Streamline Moderne design. Its green and yellow color scheme, spacious grandstand and elegant grounds helped establish a glamorous identity.
The track was an immediate sensation. Santa Anita offered unusually substantial purses, professional promotion and an atmosphere that made an afternoon of Thoroughbred racing feel like an important social occasion.
Its signature race, the Santa Anita Handicap, made its debut in February 1935 with an extraordinary $100,000 purse. The inaugural winner was Azucar, ridden by George "The Iceman" Woolf.
That race would become known affectionately as the Big 'Cap, and for decades it was one of the richest and most eagerly anticipated competitions in American racing.
A California original: Santa Anita was built during the Depression, financed in part by Hollywood money, and became famous for offering some of the largest racing purses in the country. It was an ambitious gamble that paid off spectacularly.
When Hollywood Went Horse Racing
During Hollywood's Golden Age, Santa Anita became an informal extension of the movie industry's social world.
Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Will Rogers, Al Jolson, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich and numerous other entertainment figures were among the celebrated personalities associated with the track's early years.
For movie stars and studio executives, the attraction went well beyond watching an occasional race. Thoroughbred ownership offered the excitement of competition, the prestige of a successful stable and another opportunity to mix business with pleasure.
MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer became a prominent racehorse owner, while entertainers and producers including Bing Crosby helped popularize Southern California racing. Crosby would also become closely associated with the development of Del Mar Race Track farther south.
Santa Anita was an especially attractive meeting place because nearly everyone had a common interest once the horses entered the starting gate. A leading film producer, a millionaire industrialist and a modestly financed gambler could all spend the afternoon cheering for the same longshot.
The motion-picture industry also recognized the racetrack's cinematic appeal. Santa Anita appeared in films including Charlie Chan at the Race Track and the Marx Brothers comedy A Day at the Races.
There was an obvious reason. Few movie sets could compete with Santa Anita's combination of architectural elegance, enthusiastic crowds, colorful horses and spectacular mountain scenery.
Seabiscuit: The Little Horse Who Captured America
Of all the champions associated with Santa Anita, none has a more enduring emotional connection with the racetrack than Seabiscuit.
Foaled in 1933, Seabiscuit initially appeared unlikely to become a national sporting sensation. He was comparatively small, difficult to evaluate by conventional standards and hardly the picture of a polished aristocratic Thoroughbred.
His fortunes changed under automobile magnate Charles S. Howard and the unconventional trainer Tom Smith, who recognized abilities that other horsemen had overlooked.
With jockey John "Red" Pollard, Seabiscuit developed into a remarkable competitor whose victories captured the imagination of Depression-era America. His 1938 match race against Triple Crown winner War Admiral at Pimlico became a national sporting event.
But the Santa Anita Handicap remained unfinished business.
Seabiscuit had suffered heartbreaking defeats in the Big 'Cap, including a narrow loss to Rosemont in 1937 and another to Stagehand in 1938. Injury and age threatened to end his career before he could capture the race.
Against the odds, he returned. On March 2, 1940, with Pollard riding, Seabiscuit finally won the Santa Anita Handicap, overcoming a formidable field to conclude his extraordinary racing career with one of its most satisfying victories.
His story has since inspired books and motion pictures, most notably the acclaimed 2003 film Seabiscuit.
A statue of the champion at Santa Anita remains a favorite landmark for visitors. It commemorates not merely an exceptional racehorse, but a partnership among an owner, trainer, jockey and animal that came to symbolize perseverance during a difficult chapter in American history.
Champions Who Made Santa Anita Famous
Santa Anita's reputation was established by Seabiscuit, but the remarkable list of champions who have competed here stretches across generations.
John Henry
The durable gelding became one of America's most beloved racehorses. His back-to-back Santa Anita Handicap victories in 1981 and 1982 confirmed his standing among the greats.
Zenyatta
The brilliant mare, trained by John Shirreffs, thrilled fans with her remarkable closing speed. Her historic 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic victory at Santa Anita remains one of the track's greatest performances.
American Pharoah
The Bob Baffert-trained champion won the 2015 Santa Anita Derby before becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years and later capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Justify
Another Baffert superstar, Justify won the 2018 Santa Anita Derby on his way to an undefeated Triple Crown campaign.
The Santa Anita Derby: California's Road to Kentucky
For racing fans thinking about the Kentucky Derby, the Santa Anita Derby is among the most important spring contests in the country.
Run over 1 1/8 miles on dirt, the race has produced numerous horses that went on to win the Kentucky Derby or distinguish themselves in the Triple Crown series.
Past winners include Affirmed, Sunday Silence, Winning Colors, California Chrome, American Pharoah and Justify.
The race regularly attracts some of the country's most accomplished owners, trainers and jockeys. It is also a major Southern California social occasion, bringing enthusiastic crowds to Arcadia for one of the most exciting days on the calendar.
The 2026 Santa Anita Derby went to So Happy, who defeated favored Potente by 2 3/4 lengths on April 4. Trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the colt earned an important Kentucky Derby qualifying victory.
Attendance reached 34,312, the largest Santa Anita Derby crowd since 2018, providing another encouraging sign of public enthusiasm for major racing events.
The Big 'Cap: A Race Worth Waiting For
The Santa Anita Handicap remains one of the great historic events for older Thoroughbreds. Its 1 1/4-mile distance places a premium on stamina, class and the ability to sustain a strong effort through the long stretch.
Among its celebrated winners have been Seabiscuit, Citation, Round Table, John Henry and Shared Belief.
On March 7, 2026, British Isles captured the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap with a powerful late move, winning by 4 1/2 lengths.
Trained by Richard Baltas and ridden by Diego Herrera, the five-year-old gelding delivered an important victory for his connections and added another name to the Big 'Cap's extensive history.
The event attracted 19,122 spectators, Santa Anita's largest Big 'Cap crowd since 2019.
The Downhill Turf Course: One of Racing's Great Curiosities
Santa Anita has another attraction that fascinates knowledgeable horseplayers: its unusual hillside turf course.
Unlike ordinary American oval tracks, the downhill course begins on an elevated section, incorporates a right-hand turn, descends the hillside and crosses a section of dirt before connecting with the main turf course.
Races at approximately 6 1/2 furlongs on the hill can produce fascinating tactical challenges for horses and jockeys. Familiarity with the configuration may be an advantage, and established handicapping assumptions do not always apply.
Some horses appear particularly well suited to the unusual course, while others that perform well on conventional turf layouts find it more difficult to negotiate.
For serious bettors, Santa Anita's hillside races can reward careful attention to course experience, pace, ground conditions and a horse's previous performances over the same configuration.
Santa Anita and the Breeders' Cup
Santa Anita has established an extraordinary connection with the Breeders' Cup World Championships, one of the world's most important international Thoroughbred racing events.
By 2023, Santa Anita had hosted the Breeders' Cup a record 11 times, more than any other racetrack. Its reliable autumn climate, scenic surroundings and excellent hospitality facilities have helped make it a favorite championship venue.
Over the years, the event has produced unforgettable moments at Santa Anita, including Zenyatta's historic 2009 Classic victory and White Abarrio's commanding Breeders' Cup Classic triumph in 2023.
The 2023 championships also included victories by Cody's Wish in the Dirt Mile and Auguste Rodin in the Turf, demonstrating the international appeal of the competition.
Although Santa Anita will not host the 2026 Breeders' Cup, its autumn stakes program remains an important qualifying route to the championships, scheduled for October 30 and 31 at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky.
Racing's Great Personalities
Santa Anita's history would be incomplete without the horsemen who helped make it famous.
George Woolf, the celebrated jockey known as "The Iceman," became one of the track's earliest stars. His achievements included winning the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap aboard Azucar in 1935 and guiding Seabiscuit to victory over War Admiral at Pimlico in 1938.
Willie Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay Jr., Johnny Longden, Chris McCarron and Mike Smith continued the tradition of exceptional riders associated with Southern California racing.
Among trainers, Charlie Whittingham became an enduring symbol of Santa Anita excellence, building a Hall of Fame career through his patient handling of outstanding horses.
Modern racing fans associate the track with Bob Baffert, whose stable has produced numerous Santa Anita Derby winners and Triple Crown contenders, as well as accomplished California horsemen such as John Sadler, Richard Mandella, Doug O'Neill and Mark Glatt.
These names represent several generations of professional racing expertise, but Santa Anita's success also depends on the thousands of exercise riders, grooms, assistant trainers, veterinarians, farriers and stable workers whose labor keeps the sport operating.
A Complex History Beyond the Finish Line
Santa Anita's past includes chapters that are considerably less glamorous than its Hollywood associations.
During World War II, the federal government transformed the racetrack into a temporary detention center for Japanese Americans who had been forcibly removed from their homes. Approximately 19,000 people passed through the Santa Anita Assembly Center in 1942, many housed in hastily converted horse stalls and crowded barracks.
The site's wartime history is now recognized as an important part of the larger story of Japanese American incarceration.
More recently, Santa Anita faced intense scrutiny following a series of horse fatalities during the 2018–2019 racing season. The resulting investigations, public criticism and regulatory response prompted extensive changes involving veterinary oversight, medication policies, training practices and racing safety.
The California Horse Racing Board reports that these reforms have contributed to substantial improvements in statewide equine safety. Horse welfare nevertheless remains one of the most important challenges facing the sport.
For Santa Anita and the racing industry, preserving a great sporting tradition must also involve protecting the animals and people whose efforts make that tradition possible.
Santa Anita's 2026 Autumn Racing Season
As of October 2026, Santa Anita is in the middle of its 19-day Autumn Meet, which opened September 25 and continues through November 1.
The program features 26 stakes races, including seven Breeders' Cup qualifying events. The racing calendar is complemented by food festivals, family activities and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors who may not be regular horseplayers.
Upcoming Santa Anita Events | October–November 2026
A turf stakes program accompanied by Santa Anita's Oktoberfest celebration.
A stakes doubleheader featuring turf sprinting and dirt racing.
Grade III turf competition for three-year-old fillies, together with cultural and family activities.
Santa Anita will offer opportunities to follow and wager on the Breeders' Cup championships taking place at Keeneland.
A program featuring promising California-bred two-year-olds and established turf performers.
The Autumn Meet concludes with a Grade II turf contest for three-year-olds.
Programs and activities are subject to change. For current details visit Santa Anita's official event calendar.
The Future of Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita approaches its next chapter at a particularly important moment for California Thoroughbred racing.
The industry is adapting to changing wagering habits, operating expenses, competition from other gambling and entertainment options, and increasing expectations regarding animal welfare.
Santa Anita's management has responded in several ways, including enhanced veterinary oversight, racing-surface maintenance, promotional programs intended to attract horses from outside California and renewed emphasis on the live spectator experience.
Its 2026 Ship & Win program, for example, offers eligible out-of-state horses purse incentives intended to encourage participation in the Southern California racing circuit.
There have also been encouraging attendance developments. During the early months of 2026, Santa Anita reported on-track attendance growth of more than 11 percent over the corresponding period of the previous season, along with increased on-track wagering.
Looking ahead to 2027, the traditional winter and spring season is expected to bring back prominent events such as the Malibu Stakes, Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita Oaks and Santa Anita Derby. Final racing dates and stakes schedules should be confirmed by the track and California Horse Racing Board.
The larger challenge will be to convert the appeal of special occasions into a sustainable racing business throughout the year.
Fortunately, Santa Anita has substantial advantages: an internationally recognized name, excellent facilities, a desirable Southern California location, a rich history and one of the most attractive natural settings in all of professional sports.
The Santa Anita Lifestyle: An Afternoon Worth Dressing Up For
There are practical reasons to visit Santa Anita, beginning with the quality of the racing, but the real pleasure often comes from spending an entire afternoon at the track.
Visitors can enjoy casual dining, hospitality suites, premium seating and clubhouse accommodations. The FrontRunner restaurant provides elevated views of the racing and the mountains, while the track's outdoor areas offer a more informal setting for groups of friends.
Morning visits to Clockers' Corner, when available, offer an opportunity to watch horses exercising before the racing day begins. Behind-the-scenes tram tours, including the popular Seabiscuit experience, introduce visitors to parts of the facility and its history.
The track also provides an appealing excuse to explore nearby Pasadena, with its historic architecture, hotels, cultural attractions and established restaurant scene.
There is something particularly enjoyable about dressing for the races, reserving a good table, having lunch with friends and spending the afternoon trying to identify a winning horse.
Whether that horse is a heavy favorite or a 30-1 longshot is part of the fun.
Three Things First-Time Visitors Should Know
Visit the Paddock
Watching horses before a race helps newcomers appreciate their athletic condition, personalities and preparation.
Study the Turf Courses
Santa Anita offers distinctive turf configurations. Course familiarity can matter, especially in downhill races.
Make a Day of It
Enjoy the grounds, dining and scenery instead of arriving only for the major stakes race.
Why Santa Anita Still Matters
Few American sporting venues can claim such a varied history. Santa Anita has witnessed the glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age, Seabiscuit's spectacular comeback, the rise of legendary jockeys and trainers, and some of the greatest international Thoroughbred championships ever contested.
Its history includes both remarkable accomplishments and difficult lessons. The challenge for future generations will be to preserve what makes Santa Anita special while responding responsibly to the changing expectations of modern racing.
On a sunny afternoon, with the San Gabriel Mountains rising beyond the far turn, it is not difficult to understand why the place has inspired such affection.
The starting gate opens, the horses accelerate and the colorful field makes its way around the racing oval. For a minute or two, everything else seems to disappear.
Hollywood may have given Santa Anita its glamour, and Seabiscuit may have given it its most famous story. But the horses themselves remain the reason the Great Race Place continues to captivate racing fans.
Plan Your Santa Anita Racing Experience
Santa Anita Park · 285 West Huntington Drive · Arcadia, California 91007
Official Santa Anita Park Website
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