Opening Day at Santa Anita Park: Ponies, Cocktails, Gourmet Food, Live Music

Los Angeles’ most timeless holiday traditions returns on Saturday, December 26 with Opening Day at Santa Anita Park and the Guest Chef Series. The festive event will kick off Santa Anita’s Winter Meet with a special menu by Executive Chef Steven Fretz of acclaimed LA restaurant The Church Key, hailed for its creative new American cuisine and craft cocktails.

Opening Day at Santa Anita Park has been an LA tradition for nearly 80 years. The 2016 event will include all the fanfare of years past, along with the return of Santa Anita’s Guest Chef Series in the Chandelier Room, featuring Executive Steve Fretz of The Church Key.

Chef Fretz’s special menu will include more than 20 creative small bites, like English Pea “Falafel” Sliders, Mary’s Chicken Cassoulet, BBQ Style Smoked Baby Back Ribs, and Roast Top Round Beef and more.

The Church Key’s mixologist, Devon Espinosa, will shake up creative cocktails like Mint Julep Liquid Nitrogen “Odder Pops,” served from The Church Key’s own antique Pam Am rolling serving carts.

Decadent desserts are on the menu too, including Brown Butter Glazed Donuts, Chocolate Mousse Bombes, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Shortbread Crust, and Sticky Toffee Pudding with Grand Marnier Toffee Sauce.

The Opening Day Guest Chef Series event will include live music by The Ryan Cross Trio and James Torme, celebrating the 70th Anniversary of “The Christmas Song,” written by his father, Mel Torme.

Tickets to the Guest Chef Series event with Chef Steven Fretz are $85 including admission, a catered menu, live music, one glass of champagne, daily racing program, wagering tip sheet and live Thoroughbred racing.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here  or call (626) 574-7223.