Los Angeles Times

Bill Plaschke: On beautiful day for racing, cloud hangs over track

ARCADIA, Calif. - Seven horses draped in brightly colored silks thunder across the shadow of the splendid San Gabriel Mountains in a breathtaking combination of beauty and speed.

The small crowd is silent.

"I'm holding my breath," says race-goer B.J. Ravitz.

It's the first race at Santa Anita Park in nearly a month, a close contest, powerful animals dueling down the stretch, dirt flying, jockeys bobbing, high drama.

There are few cheers in a sea of stares.

"Everyone is worried about the horses," said Abe Ravitz, the husband of B.J. "All I'm thinking is, if anything untoward happens today

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times8 min read
California Sikhs Are Driving A Separatist Movement. India Calls Them Terrorists
STOCKTON, Calif. — This farming city in the Central Valley has made headlines for its financial struggles and its annual asparagus festival. But thousands of miles away in India, it is a symbol of terrorism. To hear the Hindu-dominated media and gove
Los Angeles Times2 min readCrime & Violence
Good Samaritan Stabbed To Death While Trying To Quell Altercation Between His Neighbors
LOS ANGELES — A man trying to rescue a neighbor from a violent assault in a Westminster apartment complex was stabbed to death early Saturday morning, authorities said. Alvaro Martin-Perez, 48, was trying to intervene in a dispute between roommates w
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Kanye West Barely Performs In Headlining Set At Rolling Loud
LOS ANGELES — Whatever Kanye West was paid to headline the first night of this weekend's Rolling Loud California festival, it was easy money. Onstage for about an hour Thursday evening with Ty Dolla Sign — his partner on the chart-topping "Vultures 1

Related Books & Audiobooks