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Santa Anita Racetrack, located at 285 W. Huntington Drive, is the oldest racetrack in Southern California. The "first" Santa Anita Racetrack was opened on December 7, 1907, but closed two years later. In 1933, Hollywood director Hal Roach and San Francisco dentist Dr. Charles Strub formed the Los Angeles Turf Club and raised funds to build a new track. Designed in an Art Deco style by Gordon B. Kaufman, the "new" Santa Anita Park opened December 25, 1934. In 1942, racing at Santa Anita was suspended and Santa Anita was used as a Japanese American internment center from 1942-1944. A downhill turf course was added in 1953, and in the 1960s major renovations included a much-expanded grandstand as well as additional seating. In 2007, the park added a synthetic "cushion" track to the existing turf course. The Park contains 61 barns, which house more than 2,000 horses, and an equine hospital. Photograph caption dated March 16, 1963 reads "Unusual view of harness horses moving up to the starting gate was captured by Valley Times TODAY photographer Gordon Dean while riding in the starting car at Santa Anita. The Western Harness Racing Association opens the second week of its 20-day meeting at the Arcadia track on Tuesday. Post time for first race is 1:30 p.m., with nine races daily. Track is closed Mondays."
Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, Calif.) Harness drivers Men Harness racing Harness racehorses Horses Racetracks (Horse racing) Grandstands Gates Arcadia (Calif.)
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