Breeders’ Cup NOVEMBER 2014
YOUR GUIDE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP LIFESTYLE
> Jockey Rosie
Napravnik’s Gritty Charm
> The Bobby Flay Experience
> Santa Anita: A Park Like No Other
High Fashion, Great Parties, The World’s Best Horses: All Right Here At Your Fingertips
PLUS
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Breeders’ Cup
NOVEMBER 2014
CON T EN T S
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PERFECTA YOUR LOOK
Breeders’ Cup stylist and milliner Christine A. Moore sees a runway instead of a horse track
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS Must-do events this year include a Halloween-themed celebration for families and a new beauty lounge for fashionistas
3 breeders’ cup history
Groundbreaking Start, Enduring Glory
Beginning with a memorable three-horse finish, the Breeders’ Cup has pulled ahead on the worldwide racing stage B Y M I T C H G E T Z
COVER: JOHNNY BUZZERIO; TOC: BREEDERS’ CUP (TOP RIGHT), JOHNNY BUZZERIO
IT WAS CONCEIVED in the early 1980s in the
cradle of horse breeding. A group of prominent Thoroughbred breeders in central Kentucky led by John Gaines longed for a climactic day of races at season’s end—like the Super Bowl— to determine a true horse racing champion in each major age and gender division. Their vision became the Breeders’ Cup, which launched in 1984 at Hollywood Park. A dramatic three-horse duel in the Classic, won by 31–1 longshot Wild Again, enthralled a crowd of nearly 70,000 spectators and a national television audience. Since then, epic performances have cemented its legacy—Ferdinand and Alysheba’s photo-finish duel in 1987, Sunday Silence beating his rival Easy Goer in 1989, and racemare Zenyatta’s last-tofirst victory in the Ladies Classic in 2008. Throughout its 30-year history, the Breeders’ Cup has crisscrossed the country with stops at Belmont Park in New York, Lone Star Park in Texas, Gulfstream Park in Florida, and
Churchill Downs in Kentucky to name a few. Today, it has become horse racing’s most glamorous international event. Two days of championship races and over $26 million in prize money attract the best horses from the U.S. and around the world including Europe, South America, and Asia. Where will it go next? In 2015, the Breeders’ Cup arrives for the first time to iconic and elegant Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. After that, it returns to the site of its most memorable performances—Santa Anita Park—with the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains in the background. In 2017, it heads also for the first time to historic Del Mar in sunny San Diego. The Breeders’ Cup is the premier place for owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys to define their careers. Meanwhile, off-track festivities continue to lure equine enthusiasts, celebrity ambassadors, fashionistas, food lovers, and music fans each year. And as Frank Sinatra beautifully crooned, “The Best is Yet to Come.”
SEE AND BE SEEN
Hollywood stars, legendary musicians, and international supermodels come out to play
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A ROSIE DISPOSITION
Winning jockey Rosie Napravnik’s fierce determination and graceful humility P L U S : Breeders’ Cup By the Numbers
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STAR TREATMENT
New Breeders’ Cup director Bobby Flay brings a competitive and hospitable spirit to horse racing P L U S : Betting 101
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THE GREAT RACE PLACE
Iconic Santa Anita Park hosts its eighth Breeders’ Cup and it’s never looked more glamourous
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PRESENTS
SHOP, EAT, DO
From modish boutiques and irresistible culinary delights to great outdoor journeys, our winning tips for experiencing L.A.’s luxe life NOVEMBER 2014 BREEDERS’ CUP | 1
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BREEZE
sights & sounds
All the buzz and excitement around the racetrack at Santa Anita Park HALLOWEEN FRIGHT DAY
WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31; free to children under 18 and $5 admission for adults (free for Arcadia residents)
FASCINATORS AND FEDORAS FASHION CONTEST AND BEAUTY LOUNGE > Dress to impress for this annual Los
Angeles magazine-sponsored fashion event seeking the most fabulous fascinators, fedoras, and hats. Style editor Linda Immediato leads the executive panel of judges in awarding prizes. New this year is a fabulous beauty lounge where glam ladies can break up the day with some well-deserved pampering. WHEN: Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1; all ticket purchasers have access to the event
SATURDAY INFIELD FESTIVAL > The party continues on the track’s infield, where guests will enjoy live music featuring the legendary Southern Calfornia swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a beer garden, and a food truck festival with more than 25 of L.A.’s best trucks, including The Grilled Cheese Truck, Lobsta Truck, Komodo, and Ragin Cajun. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1; $10 admission with VIP packages available at $75
> To learn how to enjoy all the sights and sounds, go to breederscup.com/experience
BREEDERS’ CUP FASHION 2014
Perfecta Your Look WITH TWO FULL DAYS OF CHAMPIONSHIP RACES and stylish parties, Breeders’ Cup
stylist and milliner to the stars Christine A. Moore explains why the experience of the World Championships warrants more elegant fashion attire than even the Kentucky Derby.
REFINED AND TAILORED For men, a slight-wool or rayon suit and a fedora is a tradition of the Breeders’ Cup. However, a nice sports coat and pants will also work, as long as the fabric is comfortable and suitable for the Santa Anita weather. Add an extra touch of class with a striking long or bow tie. Use a pocket square to splash a handsome touch of color. A classic chic dress is a woman’s best option—think solid colors with fabric treatment like draping, pleats, a jacquard, or a textured lace. Shift and “A-line” cuts just above the knee are perfect, while sleeveless or cap sleeves will keep you cool in the hot California sun. And with so many Breeders’ Cup attractions to see, a wedgestyle shoe may be a woman’s best friend.
DO I NEED A HAT? “A head without a hat is like a horse without a jockey” says Moore. Women should consider a chic fascinator or even a “hatinator”—a combo hat and fascinator
inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. Men should play with fresh takes on the popular stingy-brim fedora. Wear it up in the front for that jazz look or down for classic Sinatra style.
SHADES OF AUTUMN Keep in mind the darker, jewel toned colors of fall and the naturally stunning backdrop of Santa Anita. Also, since the hottest colors for fall are dark fuchsia and purple—the signature Breeders’ Cup trademark—expect to see a lot of this hue at the track. Other popular colors are navy and royal, brown and brandy, and greens and teals.
BE BOLD Make a dramatic statement with your color and fabric choices and use the event as an excuse to splurge on your best outfit in 2014. “Have fun, be adventurous and don’t be afraid to attract a little attention,” says Moore. “The cameras will love you.”
For more style inspiration, visit Moore’s website at camhats.com or go to breederscupshop.com
BREEDERS’ CUP (TOP LEFT), JOHNNY BUZZERIO
> Join the Breeders’ Cup Halloween celebration on the infield track. Children and their families can enjoy trick-or-treating with local businesses, a petting zoo, carnival rides, pumpkin painting, pony rides, musical performances, photo booths, and more. Wear your spookiest costume for a chance to win a best-dressed award.
2 | BREEDERS’ CUP NOVEMBER 2014
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“It’s the richest, most exciting event each year and makes most other sporting events look, well, quaint.” —TELEVISION AND FILM ACTRESS BO DEREK E! News co-anchor Catt Sadler stuns with a stylish floral pattern at the 2013 Breeders’ Cup
Actors Jerry O’Connell (Veronica Mars), Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games), and Bo Derek (Fashion House)
see and be seen
Actor David Arquette (Field of Lost Shoes) dons a fine fedora at the 2013 Breeders’ Cup
“You can’t beat the style, entertainment, and excitement of a day at the races, especially when you’re watching the world’s best Thoroughbreds compete.” ECLIPSE (TOP MIDDLE), JOHNNY BUZZERIO (BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT), BREEDERS’ CUP
—SUPERMODEL KATE UPTON
All Out Talent THE STARS ALWAYS COME OUT AT
Santa Anita Park for the Breeders’ Cup. Whether it’s to cheer on a prize Thoroughbred (like sports personality Jim Rome), to relive childhood memories (like actress and country singer Lauren Bell Bundy), or to help create the ultimate owner experience (see celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s story on page 6), it’s a good bet that you’ll spot a top name or two enjoying horse racing’s most glamorous event.
Rock legend Richie Sambora, Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton, and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth performing at the 2013 Breeders’ Cup
NOVEMBER 2014 BREEDERS’ CUP | 3
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BREEZE
A Rosie Disposition One of America’s most successful jockeys brings a rare blend of grace and grit to horse racing.
NAPRAVNIK STEERED SHANGHAI BOBBY TO VICTORY IN THE 2012 JUVENILE
BY K ATH Y TOMLINSON
keeps “a competitive state of mind.” “Just because I’m at the top right now, doesn’t mean that I’ll remain there,” she says. Napravnik has more than proved her mettle to her male peers. She has broken her collarbone, her back, her arm twice, and her leg in the line of duty, and she is well known for her speedy return to the saddle. “Even the guys that gave me a hard time in the beginning found a respect for me,” she says, “I appreciate that, because a lot of times
when you do well, you don’t have friends.” Napravnik combines savvy riding with a remarkable ability to instill calm in a high-strung mount, a trait she likely developed from her lifelong history with the animals. Off the track, Napravnik gives back to horse racing. The striking blue-eyed redhead trades her jockey’s helmet for a couture racing hat. Her signature collection, sold online by Maggie Mae Designs, supports Old Friends, a Kentucky retiredThoroughbreds facility for which Napravnik serves on the board of directors. Watch for Napravnik wearing both of her hats at this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
GARY BOGDON, EQUISPORT (INSET)
R
ROSIE NAPRAVNIK is not just the most successful woman jockey in horse racing. In a sport where female jockeys make up less than 10 percent of the contenders, Napravnik is one of America’s best jockeys, period. Ranked seventh in national earnings as of September—a step ahead of her eighth-place finishes in 2012 and 2013—the 26-year-old New Jersey native is the darling of race fans. Hoping to be recognized for her skill rather than for her gender, she began her career using her initials A.R. (for Anna Rose), “so no one would know I was a girl,” she says. But the 5-foot-2-inch-tall, 113-pound Napravnik, now well known as Rosie, has nonetheless become a trailblazer for women. In 2012, she became the second woman to win a Breeders’ Cup race when she steered Shanghai Bobby to victory in the Juvenile, shortly after becoming the first woman to win the Kentucky Oaks in the 138-year history of that race. Last year, she became the first woman to ride in all three Triple Crown races in the same year, finishing fifth—the highest placing a woman has ever achieved—in the Kentucky Derby. “When I was 7, I set a goal to be the first woman to win the Triple Crown,” says the daughter of an eventhorse trainer and a farrier. After breaking the national earnings record for women jockeys in 2012, Napravnik broke her own record in 2013, amassing $13,242,202 in purses. Her 269 wins ranked her fifth among the top jockeys in North America. Yet amid all her success, the humble horsewoman 4 | BREEDERS’ CUP NOVEMBER 2014
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1:59:02 Fastest time ever in the Classic—a 1¼-mile long dirt race; set by Ghostzapper at Lone Star Park in 2004 Most jockey wins set by Mike Smith, whose mounts have earned over $23 million
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$
20
MILLION
Total purse for the Classic, making it the richest Thoroughbred race in North America— the winner receives $2.75 million
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Number of horses allowed in the Classic, all of which must be at least 3 years old
26
$
TOTAL PURSES PAID OUT FOR ALL 13 RACES
MILLION
Breeders’ Cup By the Numbers
3 83.5
Most consecutive years finishing first in a Breeders’ Cup race; set by Goldikova in 2008, 2009, and 2010
3,069
Number of Thoroughbreds that have run Breeders’ Cup races since its inception in 1984
Percentage of Breeders’ Cup races won by a Kentucky-bred horse (167 out of 200); Ireland leads all foreign countries with 25 wins
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betting 101
Across the Board
EVEN IF YOU LOOK LIKE a high roller with your Prada shoes and Louis Vuitton bag, you still need to study the proper lingo before placing a bet—maybe then you’ll end up like a South Dakota man who nailed six Breeders’ Cup races in 2003 to turn an $8 bet into $2.6 million. If only.
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STATE WHICH RACETRACK YOU ARE BETTING (“SANTA ANITA”) INSIDER TIP: This is less obvious when off-track betting
STATE THE TYPE OF WAGER YOU WISH TO MAKE (“EXACTA BOX”) INSIDER TIP:
Familiarize yourself with the most common bets
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STATE THE RACE NUMBER (“12”) INSIDER TIP:
Don’t confuse with the horse number
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STATE THE NUMBER OF THE HORSE OR HORSES IN THE WAGER (“7 AND 8”)
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STATE THE AMOUNT OF YOUR WAGER (“$10”) INSIDER TIP: Bring your Thomas Jefferson bills as minimum bet is often $2
INSIDER TIP:
Don’t use the horse name, no matter how fun it is to say
WIN Your horse must finish first to collect PLACE Your horse must finish first or second to collect SHOW Your horse must finish first, second or third to collect EXACTA You play two horses. They must come in first and second in EXACT order EXACTA BOX You play two horses. They must come in first and second in EITHER order TRIFECTA You play three horses. They must come in first, second, and third in EXACT order
TRIFECTA BOX You play three horses. They must finish first, second, and third in any order to collect. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks SUPERFECTA You play four horses. They must come in first, second, third, and fourth in EXACT order SUPERFECTA BOX You play four horses. They must finish first, second, third, and fourth in ANY order
Star Treatment
C
CELEBRITY CHEF BOBBY FLAY is well known
for his competitive spirit. And it’s not only because he loves “throwdowns”—Flay pits his cooking prowess against challengers yet again in the latest foodie game show named for him, Beat Bobby Flay. The Iron Chef is famous, too, for his enjoyment of horse racing. The owner of 24 restaurants, including his latest creation, Gato, in New York, Flay also has a stable of 25 Thoroughbreds. In July, his involvement in racing reached new heights when he was elected to the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors. “My goal is to make the event better and more spectacular every year,” he says. Flay has the expertise in hospitality, entertainment, and television to deliver. In fact, he has served on a committee charged with ramping up the fanfare to match the Breeders’ Cup’s worldclass status since he was elected to the Board of Members and Trustees four years ago.
“One of the great things about horse racing is that it’s not just a race. It’s an experience,” says Flay.“I was lucky enough to win,” he notes, referring to when his horse More Than Real won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (an occurrence that Flay famously cited as “probably the most exhilarating moment I’ve had in my life except, of course, when I had my daughter”). “It’s a big deal,” he says. “After the jumping up and down is over, it’s important to toast the winners in a big way.” That’s why victorious owners are escorted to the Champion’s Terrace for a champagne toast with lavish desserts, photo opportunities, and race replays. “We want people to really enjoy their moment,” Flay says. There’s also the Breakfast Marquee, a luxurious trackside meal from which participants can watch their horses’ morning workout, a nod to Flay’s dawn visits to see his fillies excercise, when he says, “it’s perfectly quiet except for the thun-
dering of their hooves.” Grandest of all is “A Taste of the World,” a food and wine party Flay hosts the night before the races. Participants from around the world enjoy the cuisines of celebrated international chefs. “The idea is to break bread and have good conversation about international racing,” Flay says, “basically, before we ‘go to war’ [on the track] the next day.” Going forward, Flay plans to further enhance the owner experience. “That’s really the most important thing, and that’s what I hope to do,” he says. “I want everybody smiling.”
ECLIPSE
New Breeders’ Cup director Bobby Flay knows the way to a racehorse owner’s heart B Y K A T H Y T O M L I N S O N
6 | BREEDERS’ CUP NOVEMBER 2014
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OCT. 31 & NOV. 1 SANTA ANITA PARK GET THE OFFICIAL BREEDERS’ CUP ARTWORK ONLINE OR PURCHASE AT THE EVENT AND HAVE ARTIST JOHN MATTOS SIGN YOUR PRINT. VISIT BREEDERSCUP.COM/ART FOR DETAILS.
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SHOP I BREEDERS’ CUP
Trina Turk BEVERLY GROVE
> “PASADENA” HAS A wooden platform. “Beverly,” a bejeweled thong. And “Palm Springs”? A heel made of Lucite, of course. When ready-to-wear designer Trina Turk named the 12 styles of her first footwear line, she looked to her favorite towns in California. After all, she’s a native. “I’m evoking the attitude and feel of these cities,” says Turk. “The brand is inspired by and represents the modern California lifestyle: optimistic, progressive, and effortless.” > 8008 W. 3rd St., trinaturk.com
MOHAWK GENERAL STORE
Shop NEED A DAPPER HAT OR DRESSY SHOES? CHECK OUT OUR BEST BETS FOR A WINNING STYLE AT THE TRACK
MOHAWK GENERAL STORE JESSICA SAMPLE (TOP LEFT), JOSEPH SHIN (SHOE), BECKLEY
PASADENA
> THE EASTSIDE FAVORITE has expanded beyond its two Silver Lake boutiques with a tidy outpost in Pasadena. We swoon over the Comme des Garçons men’s leather pouches, sack-style dresses by L.A.’s Black Crane, and primitive bronze bowls by Joshua Tree sculptor Alma Allen. The minimalist garments, jewelry, Danish furniture, and housewares compiled by husband and wife Kevin and Bo Carney are the stuff of Scandinavian modern dreams—or fashionable sci-fi flicks. > One Colorado, 26 Smith Alley, 626-440-1603, mohawkgeneralstore.com
Gregory’s WEST HOLLYWOOD
BECKLEY
WEST HOLLYWOOD > Along with her own line, Beckley by Melissa, Melissa Akkaway carries brands that are about to hit—such as Australia’s buzzy Camilla and Marc—and off-therunway, ready-to-wear pieces from the likes of Rick Owens. Eddie Borgo and Maya Brenner jewelry, tights from House of Holland, and a small selection of footwear make this a one-stop shop for a special-occasion outfit. > 8128 W. 3rd St., 310-652-3500 or beckleyboutique.com
> CELEBRITY STYLISTS come to score crystal-covered fringe booties for Lady Gaga or red leather platforms for Kelly Clarkson. While Gregory’s is known for its designer shoe inventory (Prada, Alexander McQueen) and limited-edition collections PACIFIC PALISADES (Gianmarco Lorenzi), it’s been ramping up its > THE RETAIL PIONEER opened her shop in 1999 so that ready-to-wear men’s and locals would have an alternative to schlepping to Beverly women’s lines: Thomas Hills. Walker excels at staying abreast of the latest designer Wylde, Issa, Temperley, and crushes to suit a wardrobe that spans business meetings and newcomer JC De Castelbajac. ballroom galas. The 6,000-square foot space is like Melrose Place, Robertson Boulevard, and Rodeo Drive rolled into > 147 N. Robertson Blvd., one. >15306 Antioch St., 310-230-8882, elysewalker.com 310-288-0275, gregorysshoes.com
> FOR MORE STYLE INSPIRATION, GO TO LAMAG.COM/LIFESTYLE
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TRINA TURK
ELYSE WALKER
NOVEMBER 2014 BREEDERS’ CUP | 9
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BREEDERS’ CUP
I EAT THE ROYCE
BESTIA
Bestia DOWNTOWN > EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING. Ori Menashe, his wife, Genevieve Gergis, and restaurateur Bill Chait envisioned a warehouse east of downtown as a testa-serving, guanciale-curing, pastaextruding temple of authenticity, and darned if they didn’t achieve it. Menashe lights up beef heart tartare with champagne vinegar and boosts grilled orata with an anchovy and lemon paste. Gergis’s panna cotta with persimmon wedges ends a meal—whether it’s lardo-draped pizza or brothy cassoeula—on an exquisitely soft note. Italian peasant food hasn’t been this romantic since the last late-night showing of Padre Padrone at the old New Beverly Cinema years ago. > 121 E. 7th Pl., 213-514-5724, bestiala.com
Eat
MAUDE BEVERLY HILLS
THE ROYCE WOOD-FIRED STEAKHOUSE PASADENA
> TRANSFORMING A HOTEL restaurant from haute cuisine to steak house makes business sense, but we mourn the loss anyway. The Langham Huntington’s dining room still has the stunning interior, and the masterful wine program is now run by Vern Lakusta. Pricey grilled meats are the new focus, dispatched by Craft alum Anthony Zappola. Marbled offerings include all-natural California beef and Australia’s answer to wagyu, along with the real thing. A few sides achieve novelty, such as the spiced spaghetti squash gratin. Hotel guests don’t seem to mind the change; perhaps we’re just nostalgic. > 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., 626-585-6410, roycela.com 10 | BREEDERS’ CUP NOVEMBER 2014
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Osteria Mozza HOLLYWOOD
> THE OSTERIA IS ALL DARK hues, and its sommeliers wear Windsor ties; the adjoining pizzeria is bright and relaxed, with cooks behind the counter forming delectable pies. The restaurants are linked by the shared philosophy of Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali, the double threat behind this always-crowded venture. > 6602 Melrose Ave., 323-297-0100, osteriamozza.com
MAUDE
LUCQUES
WEST HOLLYWOOD > SUZANNE GOIN AND CAROLINE STYNE’S restaurant has the snap of the new and the ease of the classical. Their converted carriage house is all masonry and wood, with a freestanding fireplace and bow-truss ceilings. Goin’s cooking, Mediterranean in inspiration, flirts with the traditional repertoire. The restaurant is gracious, timeless, and dare we say it, grand. > 8474 Melrose Ave., 323-655-6277, lucques.com
THE ROYCE (TOP LEFT), ANDREA BRICCO
THE RACE IS ON TO FIND THE CITY’S FINEST MEAL
> YEAH, CURTIS STONE’S also cute in person, as he grates cured duck yolk over plump raviolo sharpened with beads of finger lime. Every month the host of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters takes a lone ingredient, like citrus, as the throughline for a nine-course prix fixe menu. The result is a deft exploration that’s equal parts pastoral and plush. Even a salad with nasturtium petals and buttermilk dressing has resonance. > 212 S. Beverly Dr., 310-859-3418, mauderestaurant.com
> FOR THE LATEST IN FOOD AND DRINK, GO TO LAMAG.COM/FOOD
9/25/14 2:23 PM
Do
DO I BREEDERS’ CUP
Los Angeles Conservancy DOWNTOWN
> Since 1978, the L.A.
FROM NICE TROTS TO COOLING OUT SPOTS, L.A. HAS IT ALL BOTANICAL GARDENS AT THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY
LA PLAZA DE CULTURA Y ARTES
Conservancy has been preserving the city’s history one Walker & Eisen building at a time. The nonprofit offers a slew of excursions, but its Historic Downtown Walking Tour (Saturdays at 10 a.m.) will have you looking at the city’s core in a new way. From Pershing Square, guides with encyclopedic knowledge head off with groups on two-and-a-half-hour outings to see beaux arts and deco edifices—as well as a couple of murals—normally glimpsed through a windshield. You even get to wander inside such architectural gems as the Pacific Mutual, Southern California Edison, and Bradbury buildings. Reservations recommended. > laconservancy.org
WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK PACIFIC PALISADES
> IN 1944, THE ESTATE of actor and
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART COLLECTIONS AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, SAN MARINO DUSTIN SNIPES (TOP RIGHT), LISA ROMEREIN
> WHY PLAN ONLY ONE excursion when you can have three in the same gorgeous locale? After you walk through the Huntington’s legendary gardens, which are populated with everything from massive succulents to lovingly pruned roses, explore the galleries. A current exhibition includes thirty rarely seen masterworks from The Huntington’s vast collection of American drawings and watercolors. After you’ve had your fill of art, nosh on scones, finger sandwiches, and miniature desserts in the Rose Garden Tea Room and Café. > 1151 Oxford Rd., 626-405-2100, huntington.org
Lacy Park SAN MARINO
> A GOOD PICNIC MUST HAVE certain basics: a wicker basket, cute edibles in mason jars, and booze disguised as an innocuous libation. A superior picnic demands more. Forget showing up at 7 a.m. to stake a claim. There should be lots of tables, for those not inclined to sprawl on the grass, as well as shade, to help keep those deviled eggs from spoiling. Lacy Park in San Marino has all this in spades, plus a white-trellised rose patch worthy of Better Homes and Gardens. Although the complicated fee schedule for booking a spot may be off-putting, it guarantees plenty of unoccupied lawn for setting up your croquet course. > 1485 Virginia Rd., ci.san-marino.ca.us
> FOR MORE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, GO TO LAMAG.COM/CULTURE
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funnyman Will Rogers became a state park after the death of his wife, but it’s still a working ranch known for its equestrian activities. Every weekend from April to October, the Will Rogers Polo Club hosts matches where riders whack at balls while riding well-trained equines. Year-round, the 186-acre park in the Santa Monica Mountains offers an easy 3-mile hiking loop as well as tours of the Rogers homestead, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bring a picnic, barbecue on the park’s grills, or just relax and enjoy the California sunshine. > 1501 Will Rogers Park Rd., 310-454-8212, parks.ca.gov
WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK
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photo finish
S
SANTA ANITA PARK HOSTED ITS FIRST BREEDERS’ CUP ON
November 1, 1986. A World Championships record crowd of 69,155 were on hand to witness Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., atop dark bay stallion Skywalker, lead the Classic from start to finish that day. A record $34,884,790 was wagered across North America on the race day program. In the following decades, with off-track gambling legal in California and as online sports books grew in popularity, further moving bets away from the track, Santa Anita Park was forced to adapt to
boost attendance and stay solvent. Extravagant renovations and fancy touches throughout the track, combined with record purses and the breathtaking backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, kept Santa Anita one of the world’s premier racing destinations. Recent additions have further elevated the track experience, including an upgraded clubhouse, a revamped Chandelier room, exclusive Turf Club areas, audiovisual improvements, and new culinary delights— there’s even a hidden speakeasy for guests in the know. —M.G.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : BC (1,6), JOHNNY BUZZERIO (2,5,7), SAM ENGLISH (3), MARGARET DRY (4)
The Great Race Place
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THERE ARE MORE THAN PURSES AT STAKE
Horses won’t be the only ones turning heads. Fine Food, Fabulous Fashion and Photo Finishes. The best horses in the world return to Santa Anita Park on October 31 and November 1 for the 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Two days of championship racing and an experience like none other. TICKETS ON SALE NOW
CALL 1-877-381-5636 OR VISIT BREEDERSCUP.COM/L AMAGA ZINE
“The Best Is Yet To Come” By Carolyn Leigh and Cy Coleman ©1959, 1961 Renewed 1987, 1989 Carwin Music Inc. and Notable Music Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used By Permission.
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