Horseracing fans gather for Breeders’ Cup World Championships

The event: The Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park offered two days of high-stakes horse racing, paying out a total of $26 million in purses and culminating in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, which awarded $5 million to the winner and attracted a decidedly well-dressed crowd.

The scene: Inside the VIP Trophy Lounge, fascinators sprouting feathers, ribbons and beads topped off ensembles. Between trips to the betting windows, guests settled into comfortable sofas or seated themselves at flower-topped tables to consider their options.

“It’s my first time at the Breeders Cup,” said Jennifer Tilly, standing beside the coffee bar. In a fascinator enhanced by a spiraling plume, the Oscar-nominated actress fit right into the day’s fashion vibe and exuded elation after Texas Red, her pick for the 8th race, finished first.

The crowd: Numbering among the horseracing fans were actors Elizabeth Banks, Bo Derek, Sylvester Stallone, Alison Sweeney, Michael Weatherly, Laura Bell Bundy and Rafael Amaya; model/sportscaster Bonnie-Jill Laflin, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, model Genevieve Morton, musician Richie Sambora, skateboarder Rob Dyrdek, baseball’s Tommy Lasorda and the NFL’s Steven Jackson. Tony and Emmy Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth of TV’s “Glee” and “Pushing Daisies” and Broadway’s “Wicked” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” performed before the big race.

Quote of note: Banks said she didn’t feel as confident about picking winners this year as she did last year, when she correctly predicted the 2013 Breeders’ Cup champion. Nevertheless, she was far from downhearted. “It’s a beautiful day at the track,” said “The Hunger Games” actress, “and that’s why you come here.”

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