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Nathalie Gordon
Eclipse Sports Wire
The inaugural California Crown was held at Santa Anita Park on September 28, attracting Beyoncé, Sharon Stone, Cher, Jay-z, Allison Janney, Kathy Griffin, Mario López, Richard Stark, Laurie Lynn Stark, Jessie Metcalf, Damson Idris, Rachel Harris, Bobby Flay, Symba, and the Compton Cowboys among its VIPs.
Subsanador, ridden by Mike Smith, won the event in a three-way photo finish, with a US$1 million prize and a 20 in tall sterling silver, gold-finished trophy designed by Chrome Hearts. Belinda Stronach, 1/st chairman and CEO, Cher, and Chrome Hearts co-founder Laurie Lynn Stark presented the prize.
Hosts 1/st partnered with the H. Wood Group, Chrome Hearts, Beyoncé’s venture SirDavis American Whisky, and the Santa Anita Park. Attendance was 21,812, with two other branded stakes’ races. The autumn meet’s opening Saturday at Santa Anita Park saw US$23·5 million wagered on the ten-race card, up 83 per cent on 2023. This included wagers from Hong Kong, in a partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The post-race set featured Gryffin, Shaboozey, Elan Bia, Lil Yachty, Frank Walker, Zack Bia, and others. Premium areas were designed in collaboration with Delilah, Funke by Chef Evan Funke, and Wally’s. Signature cocktails were the San Gabriel’s Crown featuring Dos Hombres mezcal, and SirDavis’s Honey Bee. Armand de Brignac Champagne was the official champagne partner.
General admission guests could enjoy food from Bangin Buns, Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s Burgers, Didi, and Gone Bananas Bread, and the Dave & Busters Top Shot basketball shooting game.
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