Santa Anita Derby Diaries: Friday Follies

I’m spending Santa Anita Derby weekend with a great friend of mine who lives in Pasadena; it’s only about 15 minutes from the track, and I have to say that it’s so wonderful sleeping in an actual residence rather than anonymous hotel rooms for a change.
My friends and I spent last night cooking delicious Thai food from scratch (well, I helped by constantly stirring the wok, but that totally counts) so I was bright-eyed and bushy tailed when I woke up early and headed out to the track to catch the action at Clockers’ Corner once again.

The place was packed with fans and trainers, jockeys and exercise riders all crowded at Clockers’ Corner to watch some horses, sip some coffee, and take in the beauty of the morning.

While I resisted eating a giant breakfast again this morning, I saw this delicious smorgasbord go by me and my willpower very nearly crumbled. I mean, look at those pancakes. They look like the food you see in commercials.

Yum, right?
I also saw this pile of hats basking in the early morning sunshine, and I immediately recognized the work of Christine A. Moore, who’s the official milliner of the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders’ Cup and more. She’s an absolute artist with hats, and her creations were waiting to be featured on television. They were also sitting there unattended, and I had to restrain myself from giving one or two of them a new home. 

One of the first horses I spotted this morning was Firing Line, who won the Sunland Derby last month and probably will be running in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. He’s a big, handsome colt who seems very workmanlike and quiet; I’ll be very interested to see how he continues to develop in the next 28 days leading up to the run for the roses.

I also spotted Dortmund, a giant of a 3-year-old who will be the favorite in tomorrow’s Santa Anita Derby: 

I once again spied Zenyatta’s son Cozmic One, who was meandering back to his barn after his morning gallop:

And American Pharoah, who is one of the most impressive horses on the Kentucky Derby trail with wins in the Del Mar Futurity, the FrontRunner Stakes and the Rebel Stakes.

But mostly, I just took in the beauty of the morning and the effortless grace of the racehorses training on the track next to me.

I spent the afternoon taking in the sights of Santa Anita itself. “The Great Race Place,” as it’s known colloquially, is one of the most beautiful racetracks in the country with stunning, art deco architecture, lush trees, regal statues and gorgeous horses. 

One of my favorite things about Santa Anita Park is the trees: they literally remind me of what would happen if Dr. Seuss decided to give up writing in favor of becoming a landscape architect. 

If you live in L.A. or are visiting the area, heading to Santa Anita Park is a great way to spend an afternoon for anyone, whether it’s on a sunny Friday or a star-studded Saturday.
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for all of the excitement of the Santa Anita Derby!