Guide To The 2014 Breeders Cup
(credit: Harry How/Getty Images)
With the 30th Breeders Cup taking place at the historic and storied Santa Anita Park this Friday and Saturday, this international thoroughbred horse racing competition is sure to bring excitement. Founded in 1982 by John R. Gaines with hopes of establishing the horse racing equivalent to Baseball's World Series or football's Super Bowl, this time honored tradition boasts not only the races themselves, but high fashion, mouth watering food and music that all fall under the racing lifestyle. This year, Santa Anita Park has the bragging rights of holding this storied event.
(credit: Harry How/Getty Images)
The 31st Annual Breeders Cup
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-7223
www.santaanita.com
www.breederscup.com
With its Art Deco look and storied past, Santa Anita Park is a treasured piece of Los Angeles history. Officially opened in 1934, the park remains the oldest racetrack in Southern California and is home to a number of the top horse races the sport has to offer. This year, the park hosts the celebrated 31st Annual Breeders Cup race which is sure to bring racing enthusiasts and fans alike to their feet in excitement. Aside from a handful of other tracks across the country such as Churchill Downs or Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Santa Anita Park boasts a 320 acre park with a one mile natural dirt track against the beautiful backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains and is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race track.
To plan your visit accordingly, visit the official site of the Breeders Cup Event Details and find out about when gates open and post times.
Friday, Oct. 31, 2014
Juvenile Turf (1 Mile): 5:25 p.m.
Dirt Mile (1 Mile): 6:05 p.m.
Juvenile Fillies Turf (1 Mile): 6:50 p.m.
Distaff (1 1/8 Miles): 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014
Juvenile Fillies (1 1/16 Miles): 3:05 p.m.
Filly & Mare Turf (1 1/4 Miles): 3:43 p.m.
DraftKings Filly & Mare Sprint (7 Furlongs): 4:21 p.m.
Turf Sprint (6.5 Furlongs): 5:05 p.m.
Sentient Jet Juvenile (1/16 Miles): 5:43 p.m.
Turf (1 1/2 Miles): 6:22 p.m.
Xpressbet Sprint (6 Furlongs): 7:01 p.m.
Mile (1 Mile): 7:40 p.m.
Classic (1 1/4 Miles): 8:35 p.m
Two days of racing offer 14 Breeder's Cup races with purses of $26 million and its not too late for you to attend the event. While many areas of the park are sold out, tickets still remain in many of the areas with great views of the races.
For tickets to the event, visit www.breederscup.com/tickets
(credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Constructing a game day outfit is just as important as placing the right bet. There has always been a unique fashion forward aspect to horse racing, and it continues today. Colorful summer dresses, sleek hats, tailored jackets and matching pants are just the kind of clothes and accessories that are great for this years race. Even though California is perpetually casual with its wear, the Breeders Cup is the place to pull out the best and bring back sophisticated daytime dressing. For women, dress to impress with your finest knee-length dress and an opulent hat along with unique accessories. And, you'll want to stand out from the crowd with your headwear. From women's wide-brimmed hats to new and different takes on the fedora, a hat looks great from anywhere in the park. For men, dressing for the event can mean adding an extra touch to a suit or sport coat with a bow tie. A classic look for any year's Breeder's Cup includes a blue sport coat, bow tie, khaki pants with Sperry topsiders or regular loafers. This year's Fascinators & Fedoras Fashion contest is your chance to don eye-catching headwear with your chance to win up to $10,000 in Westfield gift cards. The contest will be held during both days of the races at Westfield Lounge near Kingsbury Fountain.
(credit: SantaAnita.com)
Santa Anita Park's food and drink offerings reflect the nature of SoCal as a whole. There are inexpensive sandwiches, salads, noodle bowls, juices as well as smoothies and the bars are stocked with liquor, wine, champagne and beer. Both days of this year's Breeders Cup will feature the Artisanal Food Court around Seabiscuit Court. And, in addition, Nine unique vendor booths including Papa Cristo's, Bling Bling Dumpling, Goodie Girl Cupcakes, Coolhaus and Currywurst are a few of the offerings selling signature dishes for just $7. For those looking for access to the Artisanal Food Court, entry is included with ticket purchase. After Saturday's race, make plans to hang out and visit the post-race festival which will play host to a beer garden as well as food trucks such as The Lobsta Truck, Ragin' Cajun, Mustache Mikes, Don Chow Tacos and more.
(credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Celebrities have often been associated with the races. The Breeders Cup appoints Ambassadors who serve as spokespeople for the event throughout the year and this year is no exception with Bobby Flay, Joe Torre, Elizabeth Banks, Jim Rome, James Carville, Steven Jackson, Laura Bell Bundy, Rob Dyrdek and Bo Derek among this years representatives. For more big names, be sure to stick around after the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday. On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Infield Music Festival will feature an all-day celebration including a talented line-up of notable R&B, bluegrass, and indie rock musicians including Toni Braxton, Macy Gray, Joan Osborne, Dame, Jenny O., The Mexicats, the American Authors and many more. In addition, you won't want to miss the countless celebs attending this year including Elizabeth Banks, Richie Sambora, Jennifer Tilly, Simon Baker, Mel Brooks and more!
(credit: LA Arboretum and Botanic Gardens)
If you are heading to Los Angeles for this year's event, Arcadia is not only home to Santa Anita Park but also the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden which, like Santa Anita Park, offers sweeping and fantastic views of The San Gabriel Mountains. Pay a special visit to the quaint offerings of Downtown's Huntington Drive as well which is complete with shops, restaurants and cafes. And, if you have time, just next door to Santa Anita Park is the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita mall where you can get this year's top fashions for the event. In for a bit of exploration? The city of Pasadena offers many restaurants and top shopping destinations and is a short drive from the park.
