Profile and biography of jockey George Woolf, also known as Iceman. Woolf rode race horse Seabiscuit to fame in 1938. He died in 1946. There is a statue in his memory at Santa Anita Park.
The Universal Studios film, Seabiscuit, based on the non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, will be filmed at Santa Anita Park race track in November and December. Arcadia mayor Gail Marshall will be an extra on the film.
Santa Anita Park announces 2018 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award finalists. They are jockeys Alex Birzer, Javier Castellano, Jose Ferrer, Rodney Prescott and Joe Talamo. This award has been presented annually by Santa Anita Park since 1950. Winner to be announced in February.
Hall of Fame jockey and Sierra Madre resident Gary Stevens is doing well after a fall that injured his lung and shoulders at the Arlington Million. Stevens, in his first acting role, starred as George "The Iceman" Woolf in the Universal film, Seabiscuit. Stevens has won the Santa Anita Derby.
An exhibit at the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum showcases the Seabiscuit memorabilia collection of Lisa Ramaci, other private collectors, and the Museum's collection.
Lou Carno has been an Arcadia resident for 53 years and is a longtime horse trainer. One of his early jobs was working as a groom for race horse Seabiscuit's owner, C.S. Howard. Carno served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earned his CA Trainers License in 1952. He trained for celebrity horse owners such as Betty Grable, Desi Arnaz, and Burt Bacharach, and others. He is 83 now and semi-retired.
Receiving stolen property arrests aided by identification of items and social media. On February 21, Arcadia police arrested two female adults, Daijah D. Ellsworth and Rickeira T. Pearson, one juvenile female, and an adult male for stolen property in their car. Police connected the arrestees to a burglary in Palos Verdes using social media platform "Nextdoor."
The movie Seabiscuit concludes filming at Santa Anita Park race track this week. A photo shows Arcadia Mayor Gail Marshall, with Arlene Marshall, Ron Kourg and Carl Cobb.
Arcadia's historic Derby Restaurant may be relocated. A mixed-use project may take the place of The Derby and Embassy Suites at 211 East Huntington Drive - 233 East Huntington Drive. Local historian Sandy Snider expressed concern that the 99 year-old building may end up being razed. George Woolf bought the Derby in 1938, originally named Proctor Tavern when it operated in 1922. Councilman Paul Cheng supports the relocation of The Derby. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, August 13, 2020 for "The Derby-what's next?"
Magna Entertainment Corporation, owners of Santa Anita Park race track, is bidding to purchase the September race dates at the Los Angeles County Fair for September 13-29. The Breeders Cup will be returning to Santa Anita Park next October after a gap of ten years.
The history of local restaurant The Derby, since it was originally founded in 1922 as Proctors Tavern, to being bought by jockey George Woolfe in 1938, then sold to Dominic and Lorene Sturniolo, or Sturinolo (article has it spelled both ways) is presented. See VF "Restaurants, Bars, etc." for copy of article.
A fourth horse dies from training injury at Santa Anita Park. A 5-year-old mare named Big Switch has been euthanized following a sesamoid injury from exercising. Owner and breeder is George Krikorian. Trainer was John Sadler and jockey was Juan Hernandez.
How Santa Anita Park became one of America's most popular horse racing venues. In 1907 the original Santa Anita Race Track opened, and 27 years later, the new Santa Anita Park, in the current location, was opened. Santa Anita Park has hosted famous races Santa Anita Handicap, Breeders' Cup, the 1984 Olympics equestrian events, and famous race horses Seabiscuit, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, John Henry, and American Pharoah (Pharoah is correct spelling). (American Pharaoh).