The eyes of the world will be on Santa Anita later this year as the famous Californian racetrack is set to host the 2023 Breeders’ Cup. Some of the biggest equine stars from around the world will be drawn to the lucrative event, which will offer some of the biggest purses in horse racing.
It promises to be a huge event, with what is likely to be a record crowd at Santa Anita Park this year. Find out more about the 2023 Breeders’ Cup: the latest news, videos & notes here.
But if it’s your first day at the track, what tips should you follow to ensure you have the best possible experience?
1.Getting to the track
The majority of visitors to this year’s Breeders’ Cup will choose to stay in Los Angeles. There’s no shortage of accommodation in the Californian city, making it a great place to stay. Visitors staying in the city can use a variety of methods to get to the track, with the most popular being the bus.
Racegoers can take either the 70 or 76 bus to get out of the city and then hop on the 287 bus. The whole journey takes about an hour and a half. If that is not an option, visitors can purchase parking at the track and drive 21 minutes from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Anita Park.
2.Buying tickets in advance
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the biggest events on the horseracing calendar, which means that tickets for the event sell out on the day. To avoid disappointment, fans should book their tickets well in advance.
However, if you’re interested in attending the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup, there may still be some tickets available before the opening race on Friday. However, the Championship Day race is likely to sell out before the start of November.
3.Wear sunscreen
The fact that the Breeders’ Cup is back in California this year should be taken into account by all those attending the races. The climate will be hotter than Keeneland in 2022, so all visitors are encouraged to dress for the warmer weather to ensure they are comfortable at Santa Anita.
This includes bringing sunscreen to the track. Temperatures at the track could reach highs of 23 degrees in early November, while lows could be as low as 15 degrees. Protecting yourself from the sun is therefore a key factor in ensuring you have an enjoyable experience.
4.Research races
The Breeders’ Cup is unlike any other horse racing event on the calendar, with international fields competing for some of the biggest purses on offer.
As such, it is vital for punters to research all the potential contenders in the races before placing any bets. This is especially true when it comes to the European and Japanese contenders, as few American fans have had the opportunity to see the international rivals in action in North America.
5.Take in the history
Santa Anita is one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world, which means that all visitors should take in the sights of the track throughout the day. This includes enjoying the elegance of the 1930s that Santa Anita has to offer, with the picturesque backdrop of mountains and palm trees providing excellent photo opportunities for first-time visitors.
There is nothing like a day at Santa Anita, which means that all visitors should take in the track as a whole, as well as the racing that takes place on the dirt and turf.