Results tagged “horseracing”

She did it. It took a shade over two minutes, 2:00.62 to be exact, but Zenyatta became the first mare or filly to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in an improbable come-from-behind fashion that was indeed a classic.

The world of horse racing is still a bit sexist. The girls don’t really have a place with the boys, or so they say. Hopefully five-year old Zenyatta will prove them all wrong in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic tomorrow at Santa Anita Park to become the first filly or mare to win the Classic since its inception in 1984. Winner of the last two Lady’s Secret Stakes and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, she has won all 13 races with a total purse of over $2.7 million.

Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird and the undefeated mare Zenyatta will be in action tomorrow at Oak Tree's Breeders Cup Challenge Day at Santa Anita. The Challenge will include four races, three Grade I races and one Grade II race, in which the winner will automatically qualify for a starting spot in the Breeders' Cup World Championships held at Santa Anita on November 6 and 7.

The opening day for the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita kicks off Wednesday leading up to the second consecutive Breeders' Cup on November 6 and 7. The park opens at 5 am giving a glimpse to everyone what goes on behind the scenes to get the horses ready for racing. At 10 am a breakfast draw for Saturday's California Cup XX. The first live racing post is at 1 pm and will include the Grade III $100,000 Morvich Handicap. The race is 6 1/2 furlongs and raced on the hillside turf course.

The famous track is in bankruptcy and going on the auction block next September. So just in case you're interested in buying it, you should know developer Rick Caruso of The Grove and Americana fame, is rumored to wanting it for himself. Considering he already has stake in the track's north parking lot--a $500 million, 820,000-square foot "The Shops at Santa Anita" currently in the Environmental Review process--it would make sense, but you never know.

Playa Del Ray resident Joe Talamo is not your average 19 year old. The guy's already earned $4 million in purse money as one of horse racing's hot young stars, he's been featured on a reality television series, Animal Planet's Jockeys and in all likelihood is on his way to one of the biggest events in sports - The Kentucky Derby.

This Saturday is the 72nd Santa Anita Derby. Gates open at 10 am, and the first race is at noon. The winner of the big race will be eligible to race in the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown races, in May. The best known winner of the Derby, Affirmed in 1978, was the last horse to win the Triple Crown.

Isn't this a great Christmas card? Ned Colletti, Frank McCourt, Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras. Aaaah. AP Photo/Morry Gash.

2008 is the 70th anniversary of Hollywood Park, a once grand-dame in the world of horse racing that may meet the fate of the bulldozer come next year. With racing not the draw it once was, the stands are often sparsely populated, and its home city of Inglewood has their eye on a more lucrative prize.

Her dad didn't die, she was at the Breeders' Cup. Along with the big names and beautiful people, the Breeders' Cup also reportedly brought out the missing juror in the corruption trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. According to the Washington Post Marian Hinnant, the juror who was dismissed from the trial after telling the judge that her father died in California, admitted today that her excuse was a lie. Hinnant told the judge today that she really flew to California to be in Arcadia to attend the Breeders' Cup. According to the Post, the judge declined to sanction Hinnant who "gave a rambling statement that involved wiretaps, horses and drugs in Kentucky," allowing her to return to her job as a licensed paralegal at a mortgage company. Rambling about wiretaps, horses and drugs in Kentucky would have surely made her the odds-on favorite for first juror dismissed during the jury selection process, unfortunately, Hinnant waited until after the jury began deliberations to hit her stride.

           

On Saturday, the gorgeous grounds of Santa Anita Park in Arcadia hosted sports’ second richest day, the Breeder’s Cup. Over $17 million in prize money was handed out on Saturday, which is about $16.5 million more than you’d typically find being handed out on pretty much any other Saturday in Santa Anita.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is coming to the Santa Anita Park for the third time since its inception in 1984.

The name "Baldwin" shows up here and there around the City and County of Los Angeles, like in Baldwin Hills, or on Baldwin Avenue, which runs from El Monte through Temple City and into the foothills in Sierra Madre. Well the Baldwin in question is Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, a man who made a name for himself as a real estate maven and as a bit of a wild card in the late 1800s and early years of the 20th Century. His name--and some, say his ghost--still lingers, as do some of the places he built over a century ago.

It’s always a special day at the racetrack--really, it is--and this Saturday at Santa Anita Park is no exception. In addition to the usual characters, inventive cussing and sweet horse action, the kinda bimonthly KROQ microbrew fest is happening in the infield. The 20 or so local breweries will be featuring their favorite beers in 7 oz. sizes for $2.50. And this is all in addition to the main event, which is the Sunshine Millions Classic with a million dollar purse—DANG. If you’ve never bet at the track before, this is an excellent way to start what might turn into a lifelong (and life fulfilling!) addiction to gambling.

June 10, 2006

Horse racing season has just begun at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, and from now until April 22, SoCal hopefuls (with $5 for general admission fee) can step up to tellered windows and pick the ponies to win, place or show.