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AirTalk

Farewell Hollywood Park: A look back at the historic track in archival photos

By AirTalk Staff
Published Dec 19, 2013
Seabiscuit is shown in the winner's circle after winning the initial running of the $50,000 Hollywood Gold Cup race on July 18, 1938. George Woolf is the jockey, with his owner, Charles S. Howard, and Anita Louise paying homage to the great champ.
Seabiscuit is shown in the winner's circle after winning the initial running of the $50,000 Hollywood Gold Cup race on July 18, 1938. George Woolf is the jockey, with his owner, Charles S. Howard, and Anita Louise paying homage to the great champ.
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LAPL
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And their off! Horse and jockeys take off from the starting gates at Hollywood Park.
And their off! Horse and jockeys take off from the starting gates at Hollywood Park.
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LAPL
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Exterior view of the Hollywood Turf Club at Hollywood Park Racetrack, designed in Streamline Moderne style by Stiles O. Clements, architect, and Edward Huntsman-Trout, landscape architect, and built in 1937. Later additions were designed by Fred Barlow, Jr. It is located on the northwest corner of Century Blvd. and Prairie Ave. in Inglewood.
Exterior view of the Hollywood Turf Club at Hollywood Park Racetrack, designed in Streamline Moderne style by Stiles O. Clements, architect, and Edward Huntsman-Trout, landscape architect, and built in 1937. Later additions were designed by Fred Barlow, Jr. It is located on the northwest corner of Century Blvd. and Prairie Ave. in Inglewood.
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LAPL
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Actor Cary Grant (at the bottom left) talking to a fan in the grandstands at the Hollywood Park in 1941.
Actor Cary Grant (at the bottom left) talking to a fan in the grandstands at the Hollywood Park in 1941.
(
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
)
Two women walk together towards Hollywood Park along a path lined with palms. The flags above the building might indicate that it is near the time that the park opened in June, 1938. The clubhouse is the circular building on the right.
Two women walk together towards Hollywood Park along a path lined with palms. The flags above the building might indicate that it is near the time that the park opened in June, 1938. The clubhouse is the circular building on the right.
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LAPL
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People fill the grandstands at Hollywood Park.The box seats can be seen below and then an open area for those who want to stand, 1938.
People fill the grandstands at Hollywood Park.The box seats can be seen below and then an open area for those who want to stand, 1938.
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LAPL
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Two men, one wearing a Evening Herald Examiner and Express apron, sell newspapers in front of the entrance gate to Hollywood Park.
Two men, one wearing a Evening Herald Examiner and Express apron, sell newspapers in front of the entrance gate to Hollywood Park.
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LAPL
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People enjoy a drink while waiting for a race to start front of the full grandstands at Hollywood Park, 1938.
People enjoy a drink while waiting for a race to start front of the full grandstands at Hollywood Park, 1938.
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LAPL
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Farewell was said by Seabiscuit to Santa Anita on April 11, 1940, scene of his greatest triumph. Holder of three track records and winner of the Santa Anita $100,000 Handicap, which propelled him to the world's money championship, Seabiscuit is seen being loaded on a van for Hollywood Park.
Farewell was said by Seabiscuit to Santa Anita on April 11, 1940, scene of his greatest triumph. Holder of three track records and winner of the Santa Anita $100,000 Handicap, which propelled him to the world's money championship, Seabiscuit is seen being loaded on a van for Hollywood Park.
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LAPL
)
Women of the Los Angeles Philippines Women's Club and their husbands spend a day at the horse races at Hollywood Park, 1960.
Women of the Los Angeles Philippines Women's Club and their husbands spend a day at the horse races at Hollywood Park, 1960.
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LAPL
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Nov 1987: General view of the start of the seventh race of the Breeders'' Cup at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California.
Nov 1987: General view of the start of the seventh race of the Breeders'' Cup at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California.
(
Mike Powell/Getty Images
)
Listen 9:15
Farewell Hollywood Park: A look back at the historic track in archival photos
Hollywood Park opened in 1938, catering to the rich, the beautiful and the famous. And this Sunday, this city landmark will close its doors after one last race.

Hollywood Park opened in 1938, catering to the rich, the beautiful and the famous. And this Sunday, this city landmark will close its doors after one last race.

The announcement was made in May in the form of a letter from track President Jack Liebau to the California Horse Racing Board notifying them that the track won't be booking any races in 2014, but the fate of Hollywood Park was known as far back as in 2005, when it was sold to a real estate company that had made known its intention to redevelop the venue and the land surrounding it.

RELATED: Hollywood Park: Bugler Jay Cohen looks back at 25 years of calling the races

Former Los Angeles Times sports editor Bill Dwyre and Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen join Larry to say farewell to this Hollywood legend.

Guests:

Steve Andersen, Southern California correspondent for the Daily Racing Form joining us from Hollywood Park

Bill Dwyre, a columnist at the Los Angeles Times. He was the paper’s sports editor for 25 years until 2006.