Horses have last laugh: Handicappers are a dedicated breed
Alternative Title
Valley Times Photo Collection;
Creator
Dean, Gordon
Contributor
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
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 article dated December 29, 1962 partially reads,"It has been suggested by numerous cynics - mostly sore losers with pockets full of worthless $2 tickets - that the only true horse lover is another horse. This is a harsh incident of mankind's finer instincts. Besides, it is brutally unkind to small girls in riding habits and race track handicappers in wrinkled suits. The latter species has a dedication to our four-footed chums that borders on the religious. No other profession, this side of Ben Casey, demands such utter devotion to duty. No one not employed by the police force is so alternately hated and adored." Photograph caption reads, "...Or was this a tip from Mason? Ernie's got one in the next race." See images 00162757 through 00162759 for additional photos in this series.
Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, Calif.) Racetracks (Horse racing) Race horses Horse racing Spectators Men Arcadia (Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits
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