1/ST, the brand known for its involvement in some of North America’s top Thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment events, along with The h.wood Group, has opened ticket sales for the first-ever California Crown, set to take place at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, September 28. This event, billed as California’s richest day of racing, will include performances by artists such as Gryffin, Lil Yachty, Shaboozey, Frank Walker, and Zack Bia, all taking place in VIP trackside areas.
The California Crown is the second race in 1/ST’s Grand 3, a $25 million racing and incentive series that also includes Preakness 149 and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup. Race day will feature $3,000,000 in total purses, highlighted by the $1,000,000 California Crown (GI), which replaces the Awesome Again Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at a distance of 1 1/8 miles. Additionally, the day will include the $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf (GII) and the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D. Turf Sprint (GII), held on Santa Anita Park’s unique downhill turf course.
1/ST has collaborated with Los Angeles-based The h.wood Group, a hospitality and lifestyle marketing company, to bring a touch of old Hollywood glamour back to Santa Anita Park. This partnership will offer luxury experiences curated by Delilah, Funke by Chef Evan Funke, and Wally’s.
Additionally, Chrome Hearts, a Los Angeles luxury goods company known for its distinctive designs, has been selected to create the California Crown championship trophy as the Official Trophy Purveyor.
The h.wood Group will also design VIP spaces reminiscent of their popular venue, Delilah. The Delilah Trackside Terrace Box Seats will offer a curated menu and an all-day open bar, with easy access to wagering and views of the finish line and first turn. Tickets for these spaces are priced at $1,500 and can be purchased at www.californiacrown.com.
For an experience located trackside at the finish line, the Delilah VIP Dining and Bottle Service Tables will offer Delilah’s gourmet food and beverage options with direct views of the stage for live performances. Tables start at $15,000, and further details can be obtained by contacting [email protected].
1/ST has enlisted Chef Evan Funke to curate two connected guest spaces. The Funke Premium Box Seats will provide an all-inclusive race day experience with panoramic views of the track and an opportunity to watch Chef Funke in action at an outdoor kitchen activation. Additionally, ticket holders for this section will have access to the VIP Mezzanine Experience Curated by Funke, an elevated lounge area featuring culinary pop-ups, partner activations, and complimentary select beer, wine, and spirits. Tickets for the Funke Premium Box Seats are priced at $1,200.
Wally’s, a well-known Beverly Hills establishment, will introduce Wally’s Experience at The California Crown, located on the balcony level of Santa Anita Park. This open-air dining space will include an all-day menu with Wally’s California-French inspired dishes and complimentary select beer, wine, and spirits. Guests will also have access to “The Vault,” offering the option to pre-order rare wines from Wally’s collection for race day enjoyment. Wally’s Experience includes wagering and access to the full park grounds, with tickets ranging from $750 to $1,000 per person for tables of 4, 6, or 8 guests (exclusive of rare wine pre-orders).
The California Crown Premium Compound is a VIP pop-up activation available to ticket holders of the premium hospitality areas, including Delilah, Funke, Wally’s, and Luxury Suites. This exclusive area will offer guests the chance to mingle and enjoy complimentary food and beverages provided by the event’s culinary partners. Access to The California Crown Premium Compound is included with the purchase of a premium hospitality ticket.
Individual tickets for The California Crown are priced at $25 for the General Admission Park Pass, which provides access to the trackside apron, Exacta Eats food and concessions, the paddock gardens, wagering, and various partner activations.
The California Crown will host a ‘Photo Finish’ best-dressed competition, open to all guests, with $25,000 in prizes. This competition encourages attendees to display their unique race day style.
1/ST’s Grand 3 $25 million racing and incentive series includes a $5 million bonus, in addition to the respective purses, for the owner(s) of the horse that wins the 149th Preakness Stakes (GI), The California Crown (GI), and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (GI). Additionally, a $2.5 million bonus will be awarded to the connections who win the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII), The California Crown John Henry Turf (GII), and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (GII). While contenders for these bonuses have not yet been confirmed, both owner bonuses remain in play for The California Crown race day.
Earlier this year, 1/ST launched the 1/ST GRAND 3 $5,000,000 Pick’ Em Challenge, where participants must correctly pick the first four finishers in order for the 149th Preakness Stakes, The California Crown, and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Currently, five entries remain in contention for the $5,000,000 grand prize after successfully selecting the superfecta in the Preakness Stakes. The Pick’ Em Challenge will reopen for submissions on September 26, ahead of The California Crown, with a $100,000 consolation prize still available. Entry for the Pick’ Em Challenge is free at www.1st.com/contest.
1/ST BET, the official betting app of The California Crown, will offer an exclusive wagering option for attendees. The app utilizes advanced AI technology to simplify the betting process, making it accessible and engaging for both first-time bettors and experienced handicappers.
The first post for The California Crown on Saturday, September 28 is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PST. NBC Sports will broadcast a two-hour telecast starting at 3:00 p.m. PST/6:00 p.m. EST on CNBC and Peacock.
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