Saturday, April 28, 2012

Clockers' Corner

I don't know a darned thing about horse racing. I just know that Clockers' Corner at the Santa Anita Racetrack is one of my favorite restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley. I like it so much I shouldn't even tell you about it. In fact, nevermind. It's awful. The setting is a dirty old racetrack with these big, green, lumpy mountains in the background. Plus palm trees! I mean, palm trees are not indigenous to southern California! And the food--well, the food might be tasty and fresh, but they don't charge much for it! What kind of place is that? And what kind of place makes you sit outside in the sunshine and watch magnificent horses work out while you relax and eat?

I'm telling you, don't go. They're only open from 7am-10am so forget it. It's too much trouble.

24 comments:

Book Dragon said...

I LOVE your, ahem, non-recommendation!

and you're right, lousy place to go ;)

Dina said...

Horses, food, mountains, outside? The best of all worlds!
Even if you claim to know nothing about racing, do you know if it is true that two-dollar bills come mainly from race track betting? I heard that once, half a century ago.
Just wondered because lately visitors to the local Crusader chapel here near Jerusalem have been leaving $2 bills in the offering basket.

Shell Sherree said...

I think that's the best non-recommendation I've read, Petrea.

Antjas said...

It was nice to wake up this morning across the continent to such a familiar sight. Although I lived in Arcadia for 13 years, for no particular reason, I never stepped foot into Santa Anita. Those "lumpy" mountains on the other hand bring back many memories as they were the background of my daily life.

dive said...

It looks a truly dreadful place, Petrea. All that scenery! Eww! And horses galloping past? Give me smoke-belching traffic every time.
No wonder the crowds stay away from the place. They're lucky to have someone like you willing to slum it and support them. You're a good, kind and charitable person.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hmm, something tells me you've been there, Book Dragon. Well, we should keep it to ourselves.

Dina, I didn't know that about $2 bills. I think they're still legal currency here but I don't see them often.

I don't suppose there's much chance of you showing up at Clockers', is there, Shell? That would be a lovely surprise.

Hello, Antjas. I wonder if you had the moments, while you were here, when you looked at the mountains and counted yourself lucky to see them. I grew up in the Midwest and I still find the mountain views thrilling. The view from Santa Anita is especially wonderful. There's a freeway in there somewhere but it's well hidden.

Thanks, Dive, I do my best. It's a hard life.

Michael Coppess said...

Who do you like in the sixth?

Adele said...

Love this photo! I like how you framed the horse and rider, and I think the old-timey drinking fountain. It's a good representation of a really (on Opposite Day) lousy place where, I agree, no one should go. Truly, it's dismal.

Adele said...

Oops. I "like" the Old-Timey drinking fountain. Spencer was helping a bit, and I sent before I proofed!

BaysideLife said...

Well,at least the scenery is nice while you dine at that awful eatery.

Anonymous said...

I hate their breakfast. I eat every bite to spare others the sight of it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Michael. The sixth what?

Adele, I tried so hard to get that horse to center himself in there but those animals will not stand still.

Bayside, you always look on the bright side, don't you? That must be why I like you so much.

Me too, Karin. Even if I'm not hungry. Sometimes I have seconds just to be nice.

Bellis said...

Those horses go so fast, I'm amazed you got one in focus. I like the atmosphere in your photo - the spectator, the horse, the entrance. Last time I was there the tiny jockeys got in my way when I tried to get coffee, and someone, without asking, gave my friend a surefire racing tip. When she looked him up on Google, it turned out he was a famous breeder. The cheek!

Susan Campisi said...

You and Hiker must have a lot of time to waste if you spend it there. It's big of you both to clean your plates for the greater good.

Petrea Burchard said...

Seriously, Bellis! I wouldn't know how to read a racing form.

Susan, I don't spend nearly enough time there. I wish I could go every week but when I do, it's a special occasion--you know, for my fellow humans.

Linda said...

The greatest negative of all for me is the sun is shining.

Dina said...

Oh, and $2 bills are said to be lucky.
I think it's lucky if I have ANY dollar bills.

Petrea Burchard said...

I know, Linda. It's almost unbearable. And umbrellas to protect your skin from burning.

Me too, Dina! (This restaurant is our kind of place.)

Leslie said...

What a great photo. Thanks for bringing back fun memories for me! When I was a kid (in the 1960's) my dad would take us up to Santa Anita to watch the morning workouts on the weekends. George Putnam (a local newscaster) was always there, and my sister and I thought it was so exciting to see a real "celebrity"! Hey, it doesn't take much to please a 7-year-old. :)
I grew up in Arcadia and still go there often (though it's been ages since I've been inside Santa Anita).
I think it would be hard to live somewhere without mountains. I admit it -- I'm spoiled.
Thanks for the recommendation on the dining. I will have to try out that "awful" food sometime!

Book Dragon said...

I've got a great memory of my dad taking me to warm-ups. Still have the shoe I found {blush}

The track does a 5k on Santa Anita Derby day. Lots of fun and the foot race finishes on the track at the horse race finish line!

"Who do you like for the sixth?" was shorthand for which horse in the sixth race are you betting on.

I sometimes get $2 bills when I take my cans/bottles to the recycler.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you, Leslie. I love hearing your memories of the track! You should stop in there next time you're in town. It's still a great place.

Book Dragon, I just read a post by Adele (above) about that 5K race. That was the first I'd heard of it, but it sounds great.

TheChieftess said...

Glad to know that's a place I should go to for the greater good...I've been looking for things I can self sacrifice for...

Petrea Burchard said...

Chieftess, next time you're in town we'll go there together and make the world a better place.

TheChieftess said...

I'll make that sacrifice Petrea!!!