07 Jan Event Recap: Opening Day At Santa Anita Park

The 77th winter/spring Opening Day at Santa Anita took place on December 26^th, the day after Christmas. With the sun shining and temperatures hitting close to 80 degrees, what better way to spend the day than drinking whiskey, and trying to bet on horses, at the Whiskey In Winter Tasting Event in the recently renovated, member-only Chandelier Room. The Chandelier Room is named after the chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. These chandeliers were purchased in the UK in 1947. The newly remodeled Chandelier Room is grand and elegant with high ceiling and staircases lining the two sides. We continued the holiday spirit with an unlimited tasting of whiskeys, Prosecco, food and live music, along with thoroughbred racing. Whiskeys included Calumet, Lexington, Lion’s Pride (Koval), Breakers Bourbon, Whippersnappers and Whistle Pig. Whiskeys were enjoyed neat, and in featured cocktails.   While my bets on the horse races didn’t win, the cocktail I voted for did win and will be featured as the 2014 Signature Santa Anita Derby Cocktail. Congratulations to Breaker Bourbon!   Sure Bet (created by  Jeremy Lake, Trade Ambassador of Ascendant Spirits, Inc. and Bar Director at Crossroads on Melrose) 2 oz Breaker Bourbon 1/4 oz B&B 1/4 oz Mandarin Napoleon Dash Miracle Mile chocolate/chili bitters Dash 5 x 5 aromatic bitters Stir Serve on ice in a double old fashioned glass Garnish with a CA Valencia Orange twist