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Horsing Around At The Horse
Track
Santa Anita, California
It was fun in the
limo and games at the track for the PubClub crew.
•
Kentucky
Derby Party Guide
When PubClub goes to party, we do it
in style.
So when we were invited to Santa Anita Racetrack to spend a day betting
on the ponies, we called a
limo into action.
Armed with a sweet ride in a 12-person stretch limo stocked with champagne,
a knowledgeable member of the Santa Anita family who explained to us
the difference between a filly, and a furlong and front-row seats at
the Front Runner Restaurant, we spent the day doing what we do best:
Enjoying new adventures!
 The
event was the Santa Anita Handicap, a multi-million horse race at the
famed Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles.
Thanks to our host Chris, who had worked in the track's PR department,
we viewed the day's races in luxury from a cozy spot above the front
straightaway in the largest bar on the West Coast (which was perfect
for us). We ate, drank and bet on the day's many races. Some left the
comfort of the Front Runner to venture to the infield where they discovered
– much to their pleasure – a beer garden.
Others chose to take a tour of the facilities. They walked down to
the stables to see the horses and watched the jockeys jockey for position
before post time.
The races themselves were captivating because of the bets. You've got
money on every event (or should). There was just enough time between
races to make a pick for the next one, so we had 10-12 minutes of calm
followed by three or four of frenzied action, the first couple of which
was rushing over to a betting window. Fortunately for us, the window
ticket employees proved to be patient with our extreme lack of betting
knowledge. (They were probably laughing among themselves at our picks
after the windows closed. But then again, so were we.)
Going in, most in the group's horse racing experience pretty much consisted
of watching the Kentucky
Derby, on TV. So experience was hardly in our favor. But
one person got lucky – he hit a trifecta and collected $1,800
from a $10 wager. (The
Bartender , PubClub's columnist, didn't fare quite as well.)
In a way, it proved to be a lot like Las Vegas – no matter the
previous bet result there was always the chance for big success.
 Santa
Anita, located near Pasadena, runs horse races from December 26 thru
April. There are 84 racing days and GA tickets are $5 ($8.50 for the
clubhouse.
It has hosted several Breeder's Cups and has been staging races since
1934. During World War II, it was converted into a US Army base.
The Front Runner restaurant is open to the public. It provides a "home
base" from which to bet and roam the grounds. Take a table and
it's your for the day. Reservations required (626) 574-1035.
In it's off season, Santa Anita uses its infield to host concerts and
other events.
Santa Anita Park
210 Freeway at Baldwin
Parking: $4, Prefered $6, VIP $10.
Web
Site
Photo Gallery
The PubClub crew
with Wallace, our well-dressed Limo Scene chauffeur.
 
Our Santa Anita
host Chris (left, center) was happy with these fillies...
...while "Captain"
Tony brought along some Aloha spirit.
Santa Anita trumpeted
our arrival in grand style.
Letting
loose in the limo!
 Next
Stop Party Bus Road Trip: Mammoth Ski Trip
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