Wunderbar

September 27, 2014

Destination: Santa Anita Park

Cost:  $35.98 plus gas

I never thought I’d experience a polka version of the Beatle’s “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” but leave it to Oktoberfest to bring out the Teutonic in all of us. I’d heard that Santa Anita Race Track was hosting a Beer Garden in their infield, and a little horse racing would sure add some Oomp to my Pah.

It seemed like a good deal - $10.00 to enter the festival area, which had a stage for live music, lots of quality breweries offering their wares, and the obligatory pretzels and wurst. Parking was free in Lot 6, all that was needed was frauleins in dirndls and frat boys in lederhosen. Happily, there were attendees that eagerly donned Bavarian attire. As a bonus, tents were set up where you could place wagers so that you didn’t have to leave the biergarten to bet the ponies. Then later in the day, the German band gave way to music by Boogie Nights and Spazmatics – interrupted by thundering hooves every forty minutes or so.

I didn’t realize was how much fun the infield was – even without the Oktoberfest activities. There was a great selection of food trucks circled up like a wagon train, plenty of beverage stations, and many happy racing aficionados camped out with their folding chairs, umbrellas, and drink tables. It took me a little while to get the hang of the race schedule, figure out the odds, and keep an eye on the clock so I wouldn’t miss the post – but pretty soon I was placing bets and cheering for my horses.

 

Later in the afternoon, I walked through the tunnel under the track to the Grandstands and experienced the real Santa Anita. I hadn’t been here since watching equestrian events at the 1984 Olympics, and loved the old building with its dated green and yellow décor. The views out to the San Gabriel Mountains were fantastic and the people-watching was exceptional. I especially enjoyed the young couples decked out in racing finery, both sexes wearing hats with the men in ties and the girls in fancy sundresses.

I had some trouble trying to figure out the automatic wagering machine. It spit out a ticket for a different horse than the one I thought I had bet on. The goofed up ticket was my only win of the day. I might have to try to mess up again next time.