The San Gabriel Mountains serve as a lush scenic backdrop for the Santa Anita Park Race Track. Located in Arcadia, California, this track is host to many prestigious races, which include the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Handicap; it has also hosted many Breeders Cups.

The Santa Anita racetrack underwent two incarnations; the first one was set in 1907 but closed soon thereafter and later burned down. Its second incarnation opened up in 1933, right after pari-mutuel betting was legalized in California. This incarnation was given an Art Deco twist --a combination of Colonial Revival and art deco called Streamline Modern-- which can distinctively be seen in its magnificent grandstand.

A short time after opening, it hosted the Santa Anita Handicap, with the largest purse at that time in the USA; it prospered from the start, becoming a hotspot for Hollywood stars and starlets. It was also first in adding starting gates and photo finishes.

During WWII, the track was closed to house Japanese Americans. Afterward, a turf course was added and, during the 1984 L.A. Summer Olympics, it served as the host track for equestrian activities. Later on, to comply with a state mandate, its dirt track was turned into a synthetic surface called Cushion Track, but due to many drainage problems, it went back to an all-natural dirt track in 2010. A hillside 6.5-furlong turf course, one of the few in America, crosses that Cushion track.

BETMANIA players can find Santa Anita Park Betting Odds on competing horses, as well as the typical horse bet types such as Win/Place/Show, Exactas, Trifectas, Superfectas and many more. Visit our Racebook to learn more about the available bet options and other popular race tracks.

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Santa Anita Racetrack Facts:

  • Racecourse type: flat
  • Location: Arcadia, California
  • Purse: 100,000 dollars.
  • Venue capacity: 76,000 spectators (with infield).
  • Track length: (single lap) 1 mile cushion track (synthetic dirt), 9/10-mile turf, and a 6.5 furlong hillside course crossing the cushion track.
  • Important track records: (1940) Seabiscuit won the Santa Anita Handicap in his final start.