80 food trucks, Santa Anita

Since Santa Anita Park enjoyed a surge of thousands of customers with a couple dozen gourmet food trucks in January, the horse track is planning to bring about 80 food trucks back to the track on April 2.

Admission to Gourmet Food Truck Festival II on the track infield is free of charge with paid $5 General Admission (Children 17 and under are admitted free, when accompanied by an adult). Live music and entertainment will be provided.

Addressing concerns with the first festival of long lines and trucks that ran out of food, Santa Anita President George Haines says, “We’ve completely streamlined this process and greatly increased the number of trucks that will be available and we’re confident we’ll be able to get everyone served in a quick and efficient manner.”

Among the many prominent gourmet food trucks that are scheduled to be represented are Nom Nom Truck (Vietnamese cuisine), The Grilled Cheese Truck, the Lobsta Truck, Ragin Cajun, Canter’s, Border Grill, Shrimp Pimp and many more.Food Truck II will also offer fans a gastropub, wine bar and increased beverage stations throughout the infield.

Oh yes, there will also be 10 horse races on the track surrounding the infield, beginning at 12:30 p.m. All admission gates will open at 10:30 a.m. Festival operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s one of several upcoming promotions amid the expansion of racing to a five-day race week beginning Wednesday, March 23. The horse track will also re-institute it’s “Free Fridays” promotion beginning March 25. And all patrons will receive free General Admission on April 1, 8 and 15 in advance of the final day of Santa Anita’s 74th winter/spring meeting on April 17.

President George Haines said the track will also offer free box seats while they last on those remaining Free Fridays, as well as $2 beers, soft drinks and hot dogs.

— By Scott Hettrick