The Breeders’ Cup, a two-day series of races that is thoroughbred racing’s biggest event of the fall, takes place at Santa Anita Park on Friday and Saturday. Although not every race on the card Friday is a Breeders’ Cup race, it isn’t just a normal day at the Arcadia track; the crowds will be bigger, the prize money will be richer, and expectations will be higher. Here, horses train at sunrise in preparation for opening day. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A clerk prepares a betting window on opening day of the Breeders’ Cup. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Horse racing’s big events bring out the best in hatmakers. This visitor to the Santa Anita keeps the tradition going. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Santa Anita’s statue of Seabiscuit gets a special blanket of flowers. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Horses get an early morning workout at the Arcadia track. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Conditions were warm, dry and clear at Santa Anita, and the San Gabriel Mountains stood out as a fabulous backdrop. How well the trackside flowers will hold up is another question. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Even the souvenir stands seem a bit majestic on a big day at the track. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
The view from the paddock during morning workouts hints at a faraway finish line. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
