The “Great Race Place” is set to open the gates to more exciting action. Santa Anita Park kicks off the season with its Autumn Racing Meet on Sept. 30.
In 2023, Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup for a record 11th time as the event celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Beginning on Sept. 30, Santa Anita Park offers free admission and parking every Friday during the season. Beer is $3 and margaritas are $5.
The first Saturday, Oct. 1, features thrilling racing such as the Grade 1 Awesome Again and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship. Winners from either race will receive fees-paid berths to the Breeders’ Cup.
Historic race track opened 88 years ago
The track in Arcadia is also famous for its Art Deco architecture and majestic panorama of the San Gabriel Mountains. Many consider it to be one of the most beautiful horse racing venues in the world.
It opened on Christmas Day in 1934. In 2006, the California horse racing venue was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Nicknamed the “Great Race Place,” Santa Anita is a preeminent race track. It often hosts the Breeders’ Cup World Championship, as it will again next year.
Found on a 350-acre parcel of land about 14 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the venue can hold up to 80,000. It is considered one of the shrines of thoroughbred racing.
The race course is a one-mile dirt oval with a large nine-tenths of a mile turf track to the inside. A prominent feature of the track is its extra hillside turf track to the northwest of the main track. It crosses over the dirt and meets the main turf track. This track is also used for races that are 6-½ furlongs long.
The Great Race Place will host live racing from Sept. 30 through Nov. 6.
What to expect during a day at the races
Guests have a wide variety of areas they can choose from at Santa Anita Park. There are also different restaurant packages and private hospitality options. All can be reserved in advance.
Enclosures, otherwise known as viewing areas, are kept distinct due to their dress code restrictions, access levels and ticket price brackets.
Racegoers who purchase a ticket for a full day of racing gain access to the following amenities:
- Reserved Seating Areas – these include Premium Box, Loge, Silks, FrontRunner, Trackside Dining and Apron seating. Tickets for these areas ensure a specific seat and offer a more comprehensive experience with access to most sections of the venue.
- Unreserved Seating Areas – People with general admission tickets can choose from open seating in the Grandstand, Sirona’s Sports Lounge (except east end), Paddock Room, Paddock Side Tables and the Seabiscuit Court.
- Infield Seating – The center of the track where racegoers can experience a festival atmosphere and bring their own seats to enjoy the racing station.
Regardless of ticket type, guests receive free parking and a racing program with the day’s racing schedule.
Because one of the most common ways to reach Santa Anita Park is by car, the venue offers plenty of parking. Those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint by taking public transportation have the option of the metro or shuttle bus services.
Some of America’s best hotels are found here, from the Chateau Marmont to the Beverly Wilshire. It all depends on what kind of budget you’re traveling on. But even guests journeying on a tighter purse string can find affordable lodging that caters to their needs.
Other ways to enjoy California horse racing
If you want to watch Santa Anita races but can’t make the trip, you can do so through platforms such as TVG. These advance deposit wagering outlets provide customers with ways to enjoy and wager on horse racing action from around the world.
If you’re looking for a traditional horse racing broadcast, you can find it on FanDuel TV. Recently rebranded after launching as TVG more than 20 years ago, the network offers live, on-site coverage of Santa Anita’s fall meet.
