285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, California 91066
(626) 574-7223
http://www.santaanita.com
Track Facts:
Grandstand Admission: $5
Clubhouse Admission: $8.50
Major Races: $500,000 Strub Stakes, February 6; $1-million Santa Anita Handicap, March 6; $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks, March 14; $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, April 3; $400,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap, April 18
Nearest City: Los Angeles
Nearest Airport: Hollywood-Burbank
Track History and Fun Facts: Santa Anita conducted its inaugural card on Christmas Day, 1934. . . on February 4, 1938, a $2,000 claimer named Playmay won the first race on the card and returned $673.40 for a two-dollar win mutuel. . . at age five, Citation finished second in four consecutive stakes at Santa Anita. . . turf course, built in 1953, has a hillside leg that crosses the main track to connect with the infield oval. . . Affirmed commenced his 1978 Triple Crown campaign with three consecutive Santa Anita victories, including an eight-length score in the Santa Anita Derby. . . in winning the 1980 Charles H. Strub Stakes, Spectacular Bid set a world record for 1 1/4 miles on the dirt of 1:57 4/5. . . Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker won the Santa Anita Handicap 11 times; fellow Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay Jr. has scored five "Big 'Cap" victories. . . on March 14, 1987, Pincay won a record seven races on the Santa Anita card. . . San Gabriel Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for Santa Anita's races.
