Off to the Races!

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I have only been to the racetrack a few times in my life and my interest in horse-racing is limited to an occasional watching of the Kentucky Derby on TV. However, having seen the glitz and glamour of the Santa Anita racetrack as it is immortalized in movies I could not resist the opportunity to go to there.

• Although the grandeur depicted in the movie “Seabiscuit” has faded considerably, Santa Anita remains spectacular. Entering the grandstand through the cavernous but near-empty clubhouse, I was awestruck by the panoramic view of sun-bleached California hills. The muddy track on which Seabiscuit pounded to glory is gone; replaced by a synthetic track made of chopped rubber and other black, chunky, secret ingredients.
  

• The photographer who once captured the noses of horses crossing the finish line has been replaced by a jumbo media screen that simultaneously broadcasts the race, instantly replays it before the official winners are declared, and, I suspect, may be viewable from passing airplanes if not the space station.

• Seventy-one years after Seabiscuit won the so-called ‘race of the 20th Century’; he is still the revered star at Santa Anita. Before every race, the horses are led from the barn to a circular paddock surrounding a statue of Seabiscuit. There, the jockeys are mounted and then ride in a slow ceremonious circle around the sacred statue – undoubtedly muttering desperate pleas and prayers for good luck.

• I chatted with a racetrack staffer named Karen whose uniform is a dark green suit reminiscent of the uniforms stewardesses used to wear. She told me about some of the incredible changes she has witnessed in 21 years working at Santa Anita. Waving her hand toward a guesstimated 20% crowd, Karen said that in the past few years near-empty stands have become more common than not.

• A huge VIP section splits the grandstand at the finish line; secured by locked gates, filled with white-clothed dining tables and attended by waiters in starchy-looking white jackets. Karen said that in the good old days, on any given day, the VIP section would be jammed with champagne-sipping celebrities and the surrounding stands packed with screaming fans. That level attendance in both the celebrity and non-celebrity sections has now dwindled to a few events a year. Of the 10 people I counted in the VIP section, none looked even vaguely familiar.
  

• Below the VIP section, with the finish line in the background, sits the broadcasting booth for TV’s Horse Racing Channel. Downstairs below the stands is a wide, long hallway lined by at least 60 little wickets for placing bets. Only about eight were open. I suppose if a way could be found to run the horse races without the fuss and bother of on-site fans the place might be torn down.
  

• In case of accident, an out-dated ambulance and a truck carrying a veterinarian chase each race round the track. I couldn’t help laughing at – and can’t resist sharing -the thought that the opportunity to ride in an ambulance-chasing truck all day would be a dream-come-true for some lawyer!

• I placed bets on every race, basing my picks-to-win solely on the horse’s names. Won a few, lost a few and was down $34 at the end of the day. A small price for such a good time!