Travel Guide

Lax Parking and the Hollywood Park Racetrack

Giddy-up! Are you in the mood for old fashioned fun? Then park your car at the nearest LAX parking lot and head over to the Hollywood Park Racetrack! As one of the nation's premiere thoroughbred race tracks, you will find this historical place located next to the Forum in Inglewood. Although the race track is not as popular as it used to be, it is definitely worth it to pay a visit and sample a bit of Hollywood's history!

History

Before leaving the LAX parking lot and visiting the Hollywood Park Racetrack, read up on the following! The Hollywood Park Racetrack opened in 1938 as the "Hollywood Turf Club." The original chairman was Jack Warner of Warner brother's fame and the only reason why there is "Hollywood" in the racetrack's name is because of the great number of Hollywood starts that were shareholders. The racetrack is actually located 10 miles outside of Hollywood! During World War II the park closed from 1942-44 and in 1949, the original grandstand and clubhouse was destroyed by a fire. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1950 and in 1994; a card club casino was added. As the years go by, the popularity of the racetrack declined as the horse players aged and the attendance decreased. In 2005, owners Churchill Downs sold the 238 acre property to Bay Meadow Stand Co. whom insisted that in order to turn Hollywood Park's grim fortunes, they would have to install slot machines into the property (which they were not allowed to do). Currently, part of the racetrack has been transformed into a low-cost housing development, but racing still continues at the track during its regular spring and winter racing seasons.

Interesting Facts

Once you head over to the racetrack from the LAX parking lot, you will see that the dirt oval track takes us one and one eight of a mile! You will also find that its turf oval is also an amazing one mile! The racetrack regularly seats 10,000 people. Perhaps you were wondering why there was such a decline in attendance over the years! In the past, horseracing was the only legal form of gambling so if you wanted to make a bet, you had to do it on the racetrack! When off-betting became legal, people started to go to different venues such as slot machines. However, Hollywood Park used to be a trendsetter in giveaway premiums, and on May 4th, 1980 its tote bag giveaway attracted a record crowd of 80,348 people! Another record was also made in 1995 for the largest single0day handle. The total was $21,287,723 USD on a Kentucky Derby Day!

Celebrities

Among the original shareholders, some big names include Al Jolson and Raoa Walsh (original directors of the board), Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, and Mervya LeRoy. Many stars also owned and raced their own stable of horses. Telly Savalas was among the many! He owned the renowned "Telly's Pop"! Cary Grant was spotted on the racetrack so often that when he died, the new clubhouse "Cary Grant Pavilion" was named after him. Did you know that rapper MC Hammer was also an avid owner of racehorses?
Even quizmaster from the famous game show "Jeopardy" Alex Trebek owned a horse!

LAX Parking, Directions, Hours and Admission

The admission prices for the Hollywood Park Racetrack are as follows: $7 general grandstand area ($3 seniors), $10 for clubhouse area, and $20 for exclusive Turf Club (jackets required). Children 17 and under accompanied by an adult are free! Races occur approximately 90 days a year and spring/summer meetings are usually held from late April to late June. Autumn meetings are held from early November to mid December. The racetrack is opened Wednesday-Sunday and races usually begin at 1pm in the Spring/Summer season and 12:30pm in the autumn. LAX parking can be difficult especially when it's near the time of a race! By parking in the Johnny Park LAX parking lot, you don't have to waste time finding a good and safe place to park! However, before taking your vehicle to the LAX parking lot and heading over to the racetrack to see a horse race; be sure to phone first! The hours and dates are subjected to change! The track is located on Prairie Boulevard between Century and Manchester Boulevards (south of The Forum).