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
Original photograph has visible rust marks at top. 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 December 26, 1963 reads, "Free Copy breezes in with the first win of the 1963-64 racing season at Santa Anita before an opening day crowd of 37,114 fans. Al Valenzuela had the honor of booting home the first race victory at the smog shrouded Arcadia racing plant. Eastern invader Cyrano won the feature by upsetting favored Sledge in record time."
Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, Calif.) Racetracks (Horse racing) Horse racing Spectators Race horses Jockeys Horses Men Arcadia (Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits
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