Friday, January 10, 2014

Santa Anita Park dazzles away while Meadowlands Racetrack records the coldest night - 2014



My first blog of the year – dedicated to two of my favored race tracks; Santa Anita Park and Meadowlands Racetracks.

With the 77th opening of the spectacular Santa Anita Park four days after the 75-year old Belfair Hollywood Park closed its doors for fans; over 30,000 of them literally marched to Arcadia on Dec 26th, 2013. The Chandelier Room dazzled and shined where horse racing patriots were offered champagne while they enjoyed the exclusivity of the clubhouse! Keith Brackpool, the chairman of Santa Anita Park claimed that it was “work –in –progress”... well, if this is “work-in-progress” what I wonder will the final racetrack be like?

As the iconic clubhouse wore a 15 million dollar renovation; the weather god smiled upon with blue skies and a clear view of the mountains. What more could a true horse racing want…this was heaven on earth!

Looking forward to a great season of horseracing – all eyes on January 25, 2014 races: 

California Cup Derby
3 YO (CA) -- 1 1/16 M
$250,000
California Cup Oaks
F, 3 YO (CA) -- 1 M (T)
$200,000
Sunshine Millions F/M Turf Sprint
F & M, 4 & UP (CA) -- abt 6 1/2 F (T)
$125,000
California Cup Sprint
4 & UP (CA) -- 6 F
$125,000
California Cup Turf Classic
4 & UP (CA) -- 1 1/8 M (T)
$250,000
Santa Monica Stakes (Gr.2)
F/M, 4 & UP -- 7 F
$200,000

Meadowlands Racetracks, New Jersey was the place to be as it recorded one the coldest nights on Jan 3, 2014 in recent history. Apart from thoroughbred racing, harness racing is the second best attraction for horse lovers like me! The Big M that was opened in the year 1970 held its first harness racing on September 1, 1976. Thoroughbred racing on the other hand was started the following year on September 6, 1977.

January 3, 2014 - Yannick Gingras seemed to be charged up from the cold that led his to win in 6 races on the card. “Gingras is winning at a 23 percent clip to start the meet” – thebigm.com

With the chilly-storm pilling snow up to one foot in parts of the city, racing enthusiast were unaffected as Meadowlands accounted an increase in handle the same day. Hats- off!

With the racing season on full swing, I hope to catch some real action of speed and adrenalin rush!

1 comment:

  1. Great Article. Check out the Nominations and PP's for January 25, 2014 races at (Equibase) http://bit.ly/1eirvM2

    ReplyDelete