The 2014 Breeders' Cup

We had a great time at this Saturday's Breeders' Cup Championship. I've been to some big sporting events (ball games, hockey, basketball), but never to an event with 61,000 people. The roar from the grandstand was impressive when you stood out in the infield!

It rained really hard on Friday night and Saturday morning here in California, the first time we've had any real rain in about eight months, so the track was muddy, but the air was crystal clear. There were clouds all day, but it kept the day cool and made for some lovely views of the San Gabriel Mountains, which sit behind the track.

We arrived fairly early which gave us time to walk around, get some mimosas, do some people watching (lots of hats), and place our bets. We bet on all twelve races, earning money on more than half of them. The final race, The Classic, was quite exciting even though California Chrome didn't win. I have a video of the horses rounding the far turn as they gallop to the finish line. I'll try and have it ready to share for tomorrow.

With that, here is a slew of photos from the day.

Purple everywhere … even in the flowers.

Flowers were left to express sympathy for the loss of Zenyata's foal.

The tunnel from the paddock to the track - Santa Anita lets fans get REALLY close to the action. Again, lots of purple!

This filly won her race. The track was wet, so her face was covered with mud.

Heading back to the paddock and barns.

A view of the grandstand from our seats.

What a cute couple! :0)

This cracked me up … they were giving manicures, massages, and other beauty treatments. Who goes to the races and wants a manicure?

A behind the scenes look at the HRTV broadcasting booth. Good thing they really do wear pants!

More purple! This was a "See and be Seen" area.

In the morning, I stood at the paddock rail in the riders up circle. By late morning, you couldn't even get close. We didn't come back to the paddocks in the late afternoon.

I took money home on half of the 12 races. I was cheap for this trip, so all my bets were to show only, but it turned out to be smart as most of my horses only "placed" (2nd) or "showed" (3rd). This one was actually a winner. On my lowest return bet, I got my $5 back plus $0.50. I was almost embarrassed to turn the ticket in!

Donna Barton Brothers - I didn't know she had been a jockey. I thought she was just a newscaster for NBC. I always wondered if she could actually ride or not. Now I know!

I always wondered what they did with the blankets of roses. Apparently they have a "guy" to schlepp the thing back to the barn. Again, Santa Anita lets the fans get really close to the horses and jockeys.

The starting gates at Santa Anita are quite pretty. They drug this one by us a few times so we got a really up close and personal look.

I wanted to hop the fence and climb inside.

California Chrome coming through the tunnel for the Classic.

For the Classic they start at the top of the stretch which means they run by twice. Here is Chrome about mid-pack heading for the first turn. He finished third, but it was really, really close.