Assistant starters grab an obstinate horse's ear to load it into the starting gate.

For turf course workouts, riders switch mounts at the gap instead of going back to the barn.

Rafael Bejarano gets on Elusive Galaxy after working Ferneley at Santa Anita, Oct. 24, 2009.

Jockeys sign autographs as they return to the jockeys' room after a race.

Kieren Fallon after the 2009 Yellow Ribbon.

Horses receive their bridle number plates at the receiving barn before a race.

Mine That Bird before the 2009 Goodwood.

Camera man.

Horses go to the track for the post parade.

2009 Cal. Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.

The starting gate is rolled onto the turf course on boards to protect the grass.

Hangin' out at the gap during morning workouts.

The Seabiscuit Tour stops through the receiving barn.

Trainer John Shirreffs prefers to watch the winners' circle photo rather than be in it.

After Life Is Sweet won the 2009 G1 Santa Margarita.

Starting gate load.

Sayit - Santa Anita race 2, March 14, 2009.

Earmuffs, common on Paddy Gallagher horses.

Magical Fantasy before the 2009 G1 Santa Margarita.

Some horses have to be saddled in or behind the saddling box.

Hooh Why before the 2009 G1 Santa Anita Oaks.

The line to the receiving barn before a race.

2009 G3 Sham Stakes

Kickin' back between races.

Leg up.

Cigarette, program, and the Form.

Chatting with a bartender.

Horses are walked in circles on the track while they wait to return to the testing barn.

Into Mischief and Georgie Boy after the 2008 G1 Malibu.

"One out"

Yummy.

Jockeys report back to trainers (and sometimes owners) on their ride after a race.

Rafael Bejarano explains his 6th-place finish on Azul Leon in the 2008 G1 Norfolk Stakes. Doug O'Neill and Joseph Lacombe (Sr. or Jr.?) listen as the winner Street Hero parades in the background.

Grooms hand off their horse to an outrider before the horses go onto the track for the post parade.

Saucey Evening before winning the 2008 Cal. Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Post-race interview.

Jerry Fanning and Joe Talamo after winning the Ralph M. Hinds Hcp. at Fairplex. The panda bear silks are Lathrop G. Hoffman's.

Though braids may look nice, they aren't very practical. Riders undo them to get a better grip on the mane for the start.

Hurry Up Austin is escorted back to the frontside after breaking through the gate and being a late scratch.

Hollywood Park race 4, June 7, 2008.

Horses cross over to the turf for a race after warming up on the main track.

Tutta Bella and Passified before the 2008 Redondo Beach S.

The gallop out after a race.

Warming up.

Reggie pulls a wagon everyday at Santa Anita to take the patrol judges to their stands.

The track chaplain says a prayer for the assistant starters before they go to do their dangerous job.

Assistant starters load horses into the starting gate.

A horse returns after he "grabbed a quarter" (see blood and bent shoe).

Success Fee after running last in the 2008 G3 Sham S.

Workers move the rail for a downhill turf race at Santa Anita.

Claimed horses are marked after the race with a red tag. (update of an older photo)

Mike Mitchell-trainee South African Baby had nine claims in for her, and Peter Miller won the shake.

Non-stick spray is used to keep the synthetic track from sticking to the horses' hooves.

Dawn After Dawn before winning the G2 La Canada.

An lead pony rider describes Santa Anita to C.C. Lopez on his first time at the track (I think).

The horse is Gottcha Gold before the 2008 Sunshine Millions Classic.

The Goodyear Blimp hovers above on big days.

Common barn sights - a bath stall, hotwalking horse, hanging bridles, and tack on a sawhorse.

Jockey Clinton Potts gives his horse Judge Gallivan a pat after a win.

Paddock and racing patrol judge Ken Goldberg walkie-talkie's his observations after the field passes by.

Corey Nakatani stands up from a sitting position to a riding position just out of the gate.

Aaron Gryder pulls down a pair of goggles in a muddy Fairplex race. (horse is Prime Catch)

Jockeys Osman Cedeno and William Antongeorgi III talk to each other about who they think won the photo finish.

Jockeys involved in infractions talk to the stewards on the phone. David Cohen pleads a losing case at Del Mar.

Handicapping in the paddock.

The horse is Nashoba's Key before the G1 Vanity. RIP.

Horses go under the tunnel to the track.

Cars' tail light glow at sunset in the mass exodus after the last race.

Laid back ponies rest by the tunnel between races.

Horses are unsaddled on the track after a race, and trainers talk to jockeys about their trips.

Alex Solis shakes hands with trainer Ron McAnally and HRTV personality Jon White after winning The 2007 Thunder Road Hcp. aboard

David Cohen eases Beneficial Bartok to the finish.

A track worker watches from behind a temporary barrier as horses cross over to the oval turf course from Santa Anita's hillside

A pony is tied to his shadow.

A worker from the claimed horse's new stable looks the horse in the mouth.

A groom from the new stable quickly tries to place a halter on the claimed horse before it can get away.

The groom goes home with empty tack after the horse under his care was claimed.

Media Luna finishes last with a bloody mouth, possibly from biting her tongue.

San Arroyo's leg is stretched in the paddock before a race.

In the paddock.