| Seabiscut Tour |
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The Saturday jaunt enticed over 60 HCCSC members to drive everything from Model T’s to a Maxwell, Buick, Panhard, Cadillac, Hupmobile, Stanley Steamer and an Indian motorcycle to more modern
cars like a Lincoln, Jaguar, Corvette, Volvo and a Suburban.
The day started with an hearty continental breakfast at our house. The neighbors even entertained us with a yard sale, many deals were made and treasures loaded in the horseless carriages.
We had great parking near the start of the Seabiscuit Tour at the Santa Anita Race Track. Trams were waiting for us when we arrived. A photo badge of the “movie star” Seabiscuit was our ticket
to get on the trams. “Back stage” at the track is very interesting. We got to see where the race horses were housed, bathed and exercised. There is room to board about 2,000 horses and about 500
employees live on the premises. Race horses must earn $35,000.00 annually for their owners to break even with the expenses.
Next there was a walking tour to the Registration Center, a round building where each horse is examined before the race. We learned where the expression “tongue tied” came from, as most
horses have their tongues tied when racing. Race horses are tattooed inside the lip for identification. Don’t ever whistle around a race horse, as that is a signal for the horse to urinate for testing
purposes. The racing saddles weigh less than three pounds, the jockey’s boots weigh around a pound. Jockeys must wear a protective vest and a helmet and layers of goggles which are removed
as they get too dirty to see through. Jockeys can weigh no more than 110 pounds. We saw a life size bronze of the real Seabiscuit and a corral with the “movie star” Seabiscuit. Our badges were
imprinted with “I met Seabiscuit at Santa Anita!” The race track is a beautiful historic facility. From the grandstands you have a great view of the track with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.
Next we were off to El Monte Airport; Baxter Williams used his pass to open the gates so we could park our vehicles on the tarmac in front of the restaurant. Baxter arranged for a couple of his
friends to display a 1943 Stearman trainer and a Mitsubishi twin turbo, then long ago HCCSC member Lynn Coombes Mcready brought her 1948 Stinson and Baxter displayed his Cessna. We dined on
the patio of Annia’s Restaurant and watched the airplanes take off and land.
Then we were off to the dessert stop at the home of Bob and Vicki Trepanier. Everyone in the Trepanier family is a fabulous cook. The table was loaded with cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries,
banana crème pie, lemon meringue pie, strawberry pie, numerous cakes and ice cream sundaes in special dishes. To top this off their neighbors put on a “musical” for us. Thank you Trepanier family!
Members attending were: Berube (2), Boisclair (6), Bristing (2), Buck (2), Burch (4), Cressey (4), Eastwood (2), Gooding (3), Gunther (2), Henkle (1), Hunter (3), Jones (2), Kellogg (3), Kidd (2),
King (1), Kroeger (1), Ladner (2), Niotta (1), Olerich (2), Record (2), Ricewasser (4), Scott (2), Stewart (2), Vartanian (2), White (2), Williams (2) and the whole Trepanier family including the grandkids.
We thank everyone who attended this tour.
All members are encouraged to attend tours, just call the host and ask if back seats are available or driving a modern car is appropriate.
cars like a Lincoln, Jaguar, Corvette, Volvo and a Suburban.
The day started with an hearty continental breakfast at our house. The neighbors even entertained us with a yard sale, many deals were made and treasures loaded in the horseless carriages.
We had great parking near the start of the Seabiscuit Tour at the Santa Anita Race Track. Trams were waiting for us when we arrived. A photo badge of the “movie star” Seabiscuit was our ticket
to get on the trams. “Back stage” at the track is very interesting. We got to see where the race horses were housed, bathed and exercised. There is room to board about 2,000 horses and about 500
employees live on the premises. Race horses must earn $35,000.00 annually for their owners to break even with the expenses.
Next there was a walking tour to the Registration Center, a round building where each horse is examined before the race. We learned where the expression “tongue tied” came from, as most
horses have their tongues tied when racing. Race horses are tattooed inside the lip for identification. Don’t ever whistle around a race horse, as that is a signal for the horse to urinate for testing
purposes. The racing saddles weigh less than three pounds, the jockey’s boots weigh around a pound. Jockeys must wear a protective vest and a helmet and layers of goggles which are removed
as they get too dirty to see through. Jockeys can weigh no more than 110 pounds. We saw a life size bronze of the real Seabiscuit and a corral with the “movie star” Seabiscuit. Our badges were
imprinted with “I met Seabiscuit at Santa Anita!” The race track is a beautiful historic facility. From the grandstands you have a great view of the track with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.
Next we were off to El Monte Airport; Baxter Williams used his pass to open the gates so we could park our vehicles on the tarmac in front of the restaurant. Baxter arranged for a couple of his
friends to display a 1943 Stearman trainer and a Mitsubishi twin turbo, then long ago HCCSC member Lynn Coombes Mcready brought her 1948 Stinson and Baxter displayed his Cessna. We dined on
the patio of Annia’s Restaurant and watched the airplanes take off and land.
Then we were off to the dessert stop at the home of Bob and Vicki Trepanier. Everyone in the Trepanier family is a fabulous cook. The table was loaded with cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries,
banana crème pie, lemon meringue pie, strawberry pie, numerous cakes and ice cream sundaes in special dishes. To top this off their neighbors put on a “musical” for us. Thank you Trepanier family!
Members attending were: Berube (2), Boisclair (6), Bristing (2), Buck (2), Burch (4), Cressey (4), Eastwood (2), Gooding (3), Gunther (2), Henkle (1), Hunter (3), Jones (2), Kellogg (3), Kidd (2),
King (1), Kroeger (1), Ladner (2), Niotta (1), Olerich (2), Record (2), Ricewasser (4), Scott (2), Stewart (2), Vartanian (2), White (2), Williams (2) and the whole Trepanier family including the grandkids.
We thank everyone who attended this tour.
All members are encouraged to attend tours, just call the host and ask if back seats are available or driving a modern car is appropriate.