Exactly 75 years and one day after Santa Anita Park opened on Christmas Day in 1934, a ceremony was held on opening day of the 2009-10 winter/spring meet — the largest opening day crowd in 10 years (35,962) — to commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of the iconic track. (Story continues below following video highlights of the ceremony. See also detailed summary of Santa Anita Park’s 75 years in a short history written specifically for this website.)
A historic marker created by the Arcadia Historical Society was unveiled and dedicated in a brief invitation-only event just prior to the opening of the gates to the public. Santa Anita Park vice president and general manager George Haines, who followed the career of his father who worked at the track since it opened, offered his comments of reflection and gratitude to the City of Arcadia and the staff and patrons who bring the facility to life.
In presenting a certificate of recognition to Haines, Arcadia Mayor John Wuo said the City has long enjoyed a very good working relationship with Santa Anita Park, which he called a historical landmark.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich also presented a certificate to Haines and a second one to Historical Society vice president Carol Libby and Historical Marker Committee chairman Scott Hettrick, who also emceed the program.
Highlights of the ceremony, including a couple minutes of Hettrick’s summary of the history and many notable activities at the track, including the 1984 Olympics and the track’s use as an Army ordnance center during World War II, can be seen in the video above.