This was the first Saturday of the Autumn Meet for Santa Anita with the only clouds seen were thunderheads peeking out from behind the San Gabriel Mountains. With the food truck festival on the infield and an 80’s cover band playing to the customers of the Ragin’ Cajun, Grilled Cheese Truck, et al., the mercury got up to 92 degrees with customers taking shelter under the few bits of shade afforded. But that wasn’t the only place where things got fiery. more ›

As the baseball season has ended here in Southern California, Santa Anita opens their 24-day Autumn Meet on Friday as they lead up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic hosted at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4 and 5. But the big day of the weekend is Saturday. Not only are they hosting four Grade I stakes with the winners automatically qualifying for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup, but they’re also hosting its fourth Gourmet Food Truck Festival. more ›

Shear, a 90-year-old paddock guard and former jockey who worked at the Southern California thoroughbred track for almost 50 years, is being hailed a hero for jumping between the runaway horse and the young girl, injuring himself, but leaving the 9-year-old unharmed. more ›

On Thursday, the jockeys of Santa Anita will face off against the Holy Angels School basketball team at 7:00 p.m. at La Salle High School in Pasadena. Admission is $5, and all proceeds go to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF.) Legendary hall of fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye, Don Pierce, Laffit Pincay Jr., Gary Stevens and Mike Smith will serve as honorary captains and will be on hand to autograph memorabilia from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the La Salle High gymnasium. more ›

LA Lakers defeat Minnesota Timberwolves 104-96. Against the team that lost to the Phoenix Suns 152-114 Tuesday night, the Lakers just cruised throughout the game content to let them hang around. They even let the Wolves take a lead in the third quarter. But in the end the Lakers were just too much. Kobe Bryant ended up with a season high 13 assists, seven in the first quarter, along with 22 points. Pau Gasol also had a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. However the injury bug is creeping back in with Andrew Bynum leaving the game with a strained Achilles tendon early in the third quarter. Head coach Phil Jackson also mentioned after the game that Lamar Odom injured his shoulder during his 18 point effort. more ›

A flash flood warning has been set for the burn areas in the San Gabriel Mountains where the Station and Morris fires burned last summer. "Rain gage reports indicate that rates have exceeded both one and three hour rainfall thresholds..." more ›

She did it. It took a shade over two minutes, 2:00.62 to be exact, but Zenyatta became the first mare or filly to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in an improbable come-from-behind fashion that was indeed a classic. more ›

The world of horse racing is still a bit sexist. The girls don’t really have a place with the boys, or so they say. Hopefully five-year old Zenyatta will prove them all wrong in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic tomorrow at Santa Anita Park to become the first filly or mare to win the Classic since its inception in 1984. Winner of the last two Lady’s Secret Stakes and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, she has won all 13 races with a total purse of over $2.7 million. more ›

Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird and the undefeated mare Zenyatta will be in action tomorrow at Oak Tree's Breeders Cup Challenge Day at Santa Anita. The Challenge will include four races, three Grade I races and one Grade II race, in which the winner will automatically qualify for a starting spot in the Breeders' Cup World Championships held at Santa Anita on November 6 and 7. more ›

The famous track is in bankruptcy and going on the auction block next September. So just in case you're interested in buying it, you should know developer Rick Caruso of The Grove and Americana fame, is rumored to wanting it for himself. Considering he already has stake in the track's north parking lot--a $500 million, 820,000-square foot "The Shops at Santa Anita" currently in the Environmental Review process--it would make sense, but you never know. more ›

On Saturday, the gorgeous grounds of Santa Anita Park in Arcadia hosted sports’ second richest day, the Breeder’s Cup. Over $17 million in prize money was handed out on Saturday, which is about $16.5 million more than you’d typically find being handed out on pretty much any other Saturday in Santa Anita. more ›

The name "Baldwin" shows up here and there around the City and County of Los Angeles, like in Baldwin Hills, or on Baldwin Avenue, which runs from El Monte through Temple City and into the foothills in Sierra Madre. Well the Baldwin in question is Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, a man who made a name for himself as a real estate maven and as a bit of a wild card in the late 1800s and early years of the 20th Century. His name--and some, say his ghost--still lingers, as do some of the places he built over a century ago. more ›

While 300-400 people are being let back into their homes on the Eastside of the fire in Sierra Madre, Fifty-one homes in Pasadena were evacuated late this afternoon, according to the Pasadena Star News: more ›

It’s always a special day at the racetrack--really, it is--and this Saturday at Santa Anita Park is no exception. In addition to the usual characters, inventive cussing and sweet horse action, the kinda bimonthly KROQ microbrew fest is happening in the infield. The 20 or so local breweries will be featuring their favorite beers in 7 oz. sizes for $2.50. And this is all in addition to the main event, which is the Sunshine Millions Classic with a million dollar purse—DANG. If you’ve never bet at the track before, this is an excellent way to start what might turn into a lifelong (and life fulfilling!) addiction to gambling. more ›

Horse racing season has just begun at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, and from now until April 22, SoCal hopefuls (with $5 for general admission fee) can step up to tellered windows and pick the ponies to win, place or show. more ›

In a statement oozing of paradoxes, World of Britney's webmaster, Ruben Garay announced Wednesday that he would be pulling the plug on the most popular un-official web site dedicated to the pop princess.

As Britney keeps losing her identity and credibility within fans and industry people, so is WoB. We're moving on to greater, bigger things. I would therefore like to announce the permanent shut down of World of Britney.com beginning January 31st, 2007. As WoB closes, Carolina and I will be launching a brand new state of the art Celebrity Blog that will try to compete with Perez Hilton, Pink is the New Blog, Popsugar and all of those.

Expect mobs of trendy teens and stylish career women jostling to enter LA's first H&M store today. The Swedish retail chain opens its doors on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena at 10 a.m. Another outlet is slated to open at the Beverly Center October 26th and in Arcadia's Westfield Santa Anita mall in November. more ›

No one knows where he will strike but prolific stencil graffiti artist Banksy (aka Robert Banks) from Bristol, England, will make a much anticipated ”Barely Legal” L.A. appearance (or at least his work will) on September 15-17 at a super secret location that won’t be disclosed until the day of the event. - Caroline on Crack we have a date for the first opening of H&M in SoCal: September 21st in pasadena located at... more ›