Opening Day at Santa Anita

Trumpeter Joel Cohen prepares to play the call to post on opening day of the winter-spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Hat and glove designer Anne de Bonrepos was in full bloom for opening day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Pony girl Julie Schifsky waits in the tunnel between races on the first day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

It was an unseasonably warm 80-plus degrees during opening day of the winter-spring meeting at Santa Anita Park in the traditional day-after-Christmas races.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jockeys race their horses in tight quarters around a turn at Santa Anita Park during opening day of the winter/spring meeting on Thursday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

More than 30,000 spectators showed up Thursday for the opening day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jockeys ease off their horses after crossing the finish line during a race on opening day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jockey Martin Pedroza heads for the winner’s circle aboard Luckarack following a victory in the fifth race on the opening day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jockey Joel Rosario is covered in mud following one of his two victories during opening day of the winter/spring meeting at Santa Anita Park.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)