Santa Anita preps for Dec. 26 opening

By Chris Erskine

Dec. 26, 2011 12 AM PT

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

L.A.’s premier racetrack opens its 75^th winter/spring meeting today, Dec. 26, providing patrons with one of the most splendid settings in all of sports. The picturesque venue is best known for being the home of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. It has had a role in many Hollywood hits and is featured in the upcoming HBO series “Luck.”

“As we have in the past, we’re going to have a very deep and competitive jockeys’ colony this meet,” boasts Rick Hammerle, Santa Anita’s vice president of racing.

But all of the action won’t be on the track. Here’s a guide to some pre- and post-race attractions:

Clocker’s Corner: Racing fans can watch early-morning workouts and mingle with the jockeys, trainers and owners as they work their horses. Sessions run from 4:45 to 10 a.m., but prime time is 7 to 8:30 a.m. Concessions sell breakfast and coffee.

Post-race beverage? The Derby, just a few furlongs off the track, is a classic steakhouse and drinking trough and draws crowds of Santa Anita horsemen. 233 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; (626) 447-2430, https://www.thederbyarcadia.com.

Dinner options: Pasadena’s Arroyo Chop House has great cuts of beef. Dinners from about $40; 536 Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena;(626) 577-7463, https://www.arroyochophouse.com. The track’s media maven, Mike Willman, also recommends Callahan’s in Azusa, a friendly joint that serves a nice slab of prime rib and features a convivial bar. Dinners from about $15; 200 S. Irwindale Ave., Azusa; (626) 334-5532.

Other hangouts: For a neighborhood vibe and a wide-ranging menu, try Nikki C’s. Dinners from about $20; 470 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 792-7437, https://www.nikkics.com. The racing crowd also gives high marks to Matt Denny’s for its well-priced burgers and $15.95 tri-tip platter; 145 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; (626) 462-0250, https://www.mattdennys.com.

Lodging choices: The grounds at the Langham Huntington, formerly the Ritz-Carlton, feel like an extension of Santa Anita. Rooms from $170; 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena; (626) 568-3900, https://www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com. DoubleTree Inn is more affordable though significantly less memorable. Rooms from $122; 924 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia; (626) 357-1900, doubletree1.hilton.com.

For insider info on the other major California tracks, click here.

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Chris Erskine

Chris Erskine is a nationally known humor columnist and editor who retired from the Los Angeles Times in 2020. Previously he wrote for the Sports, Travel and Saturday sections and edited with the paper’s features staff. As an editor, he has been a part of two Pulitzer Prize-winning teams at The Times (for his graphics work on the Northridge quake and the North Hollywood bank robbery). He is best known to readers for his weekly humor pieces on life in suburban Los Angeles. His latest book, “Daditude,” released in 2018, is a collection of his favorite Times columns on fatherhood. He has written two other books, “Man of the House” and “Surviving Suburbia,” which reached the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. The Chicago native has also worked for papers in New Orleans and Miami.

Santa Anita preps for Dec. 26 opening

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