More of Santa Anita

I really don't know what other "big" tracks have to offer, but Santa Anita definitely caters to the crowd. There was no end of stuff to do there!

We arrived early enough to secure our spots on the Seabiscuit Tour, which is free. While we waited for the tram to leave, we watched the horses come out onto the track for their morning work out. Here's a quick video of them coming onto the track.

The tour began with a ride through the barn area where we saw Bob Baffert's stables as well as many others. Santa Anita has about 1,700 horses and around 1,600 employees. Approximately 600 of them have housing provided at the park.

One of Bob Baffert's barns

One of my favorite things from the barn area was watching the human "hot walkers." They had mini tracks throughout the barn area for just this purpose.

I wasn't fast enough to get a photo with actual horses being walked.

The tour then continued on foot where we were taken to the Receiving Barn. As a horse's race approaches, he is taken into the barn where his shoes are checked and his tattoo is compared to his papers.

Our guide explaining what happens in the receiving barn.

The horses are then taken to the Saddling Barn where they are tacked up.

This is what it looked like while we there, and then later ...

Spectators can get really close to the action!

The Jockeys' Room entrance is in the middle of the Saddling Barn. For our tour, we were whisked through the Jockeys' Room and emerged into the barn via the same route the jockey's take.

This door leads into the Jockeys' Room.

We were told to walk quickly and NOT to bother the jockeys who were working out and preparing for the day. I chose to respect their privacy and didn't get photos of them.

There were a LOT of silks!

The horses then leave the Saddling Barn and are led across a walk-way to the walking ring where jockeys get a leg up.

Leaving the Saddling Barn ...

Heading to the walking ring ...

A couple of turns around the ring while the jockeys are boosted up ..

Once horses leave the walking ring, they pass through a tunnel beneath the Grandstand and emerge out onto the track.

You've seen this part on TV. The horses are led by the pony horse as they walk, trot, and begin to canter. The horses are then loaded into the starting gate where they wait for the bell.

Once the horses leave the gate, the tractor quickly pulls the gate off the track while the ambulance chases after the field.

Here's a video clip from Race 1.

One of the best wins of the day was Race 5. I placed most of my bets on known jockeys or trainers, but that fifth race had it all going on!  I bet $5 on the number 5 horse running in the fifth race.  His trainer was Bob Baffert and his jockey was none other than Gary Stevens! How could I lose?

The winner's circe with Bob Baffert (trainer) and Gary Stevens (jockey) aboard Bayern.

Gary Stevens heading back to the Jockeys' Room after his win aboard Bayern.

Of the nine races on Saturday, we managed to pick 6 winners! We "splurged" on Box Seats ($35 total) and had a great time perusing the program to compare our picks to the handicappers'. 

Each "box" comes with a TV so you can see the start of the race even if it's in the far corner of the track! Our view from here was amazing.

My first win of the day!

During the middle of the day, the Budweiser Clydsdales put on a small show for the spectators. They were given a very warm welcome by the fans.

Next time we go to Santa Anita, there will be more to see. Visitors to the park can also use the infield for picnics or watching the race. There are playground facilities, a large fountain, and more. We never made it to the infield, but we will next time!

Late afternoon at Santa Anita