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The L.A. County Fair and live thoroughbred horse racing have been delivering a one-two punch for a combined 148 years. The sound of the bugle, roar of the crowd and familiar tones of Trevor Denman will again resonate all 17-days of the L.A. County Fair and deliver an exciting bill of fare for the full run, Sept. 10-26. There are 17 stakes races and a promotion each day.
Fairplex Park, the perfect venue to experience the sport of kings, embraces the
return of its long-standing and loyal fans and rolls out the red carpet for those attending a horse race for the first time. And, Fairplex Park knows how to roll out the red carpet. After all, it was the first facility in California to offer pari-mutuel wagering when it was legalized in 1933.
A full house is a fun house and Fairplex Park plans to do all it can to ensure that a good time is had by all. The number of promotions, including a variety of giveaways, will increase to offer seasoned bettors and novices an experience that is unlike any other at any other track. The promotions are designed to provide a full day of fun and memories for everyone in attendance at the races. Admission to the track is free with Fair admission for at least 11 scheduled daily races. The races vary from 220 yards for 3-year-olds and up, to contests at a mile-and-a-sixteenth for 2-year-olds. The action is fun, exciting and challenging.
Mondays will be highlighted with giveaways of a horse racing pin and painter’s cap to all in attendance. Betting for Beginners is a daily program that starts with a tour of the grandstand on the way to designated box seats, a winning voucher to everyone in the orientation program and conveniently located pari-mutuel windows to place bets and collect winnings.
Aloha Fridays will return for its third year, allowing race patrons wearing Hawaiian shirts on Fridays upgrades to a box seat and eligibility to win a trip to Hawaii. As part of the fun, a designated area with a luau and entertainment has been created to enhance the experience for those donning a Hawaiian shirt each Friday of the Fair.
Fashion contests await those that get in the spirit of dressing up in Hawaiian garb, along with an Aloha Hat contest. Cash prizes will be awarded the winners.
Greek Spirit Days, Wednesday, Sept. 15 and 22, will treat college students to a discount at the gate and some fun at the track with a special package designed to appeal to the younger set. Seabiscuit Sunday, very popular in 2003, will be held on the meeting’s closing day, Sunday, Sept. 26. Portions of the popular movie were filmed at historic Fairplex Park in 2002. Senior Days are each Tuesday and activities are in the making for those 60 years of age and older, including Bingo matches. Other packages available include group picnics and Day at the Races.
Paying homage to leading farms in the area is new to programming this year, with one farm honored each day of the meeting.
The Fairplex Park Hall of Fame was introduced in 2003 with Mel Stute the first inductee. This year E.B. Johnston, thoroughbred horse breeder (Old English Rancho Stables), successful owner and a long-time L.A. County Fair horseracing participant will be honored. The first stakes race for Old English Rancho was in 1950 when Ruth Lily won the Armed Forces Day Handicap. Since then Johnston’s horses have captured 43 stakes races. Johnston’s induction will take place on Sunday, Sept. 12. Old English Rancho will also be saluted that day.
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