The Breeders' Cup

2014

I am pretty sure I mentioned this a few months ago, but the day has finally (nearly) arrived! Early tomorrow morning we're headed to the 31st annual Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park. We bought our tickets months ago. We've been to Santa Anita Park twice this year, box seats (purple), but for this event, we had to settle for seats that were a little less grand.

Normally, box seats run about $15 each, but for this event, they were around $1,000 each, so um … no. We spent $125 (each) for the Club Apron seating (yellow seating), which is okay, but not quite the view we've come to expect. Basic grandstand seats, which are quite a ways from the finish line, are normally around $5 but were $75 for this weekend.

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Click to enlarge.

The Club Apron seats are just a little bit beyond the finish line, but the promoters guaranteed us a massive television screen for our area to improve the view. Hopefully it's as massive as they advertised! The photo below was taken earlier in the year, but the Club Apron seating is just down to the right from this view. The finish line is at the pole in front of and to the right of the gray horse.

Not a perfect view, but it will do.

Our ticket package arrived a week or so ago. The tickets are those big plastic things that require a lanyard. We also got brochures and discounts for Breeders Cup wear; hubby has already ordered a polo.

Very official!

My husband has become the horse racing guru. He bets every weekend with his Twin Spires online account. He already has his picks for this weekend circled. Me, I am not such a big gambler (breeches to buy, dontcha know!) so I am taking $5 for each of the 12 races. I will however, be bringing along a little extra for my beverage of choice, of course.

A friend has a friend who has a horse running, Sweet Swap, ridden by none other than Corey Nakatani, so I am definitely betting on that horse. And of course, what Californian is not betting on California Chrome? 

Run fast, dude!

I promise a full report later next week, and hopefully I'll get some decent pictures. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all on Monday.