For many decades, Southern California racing has operated on a year-round basis. There have been little breaks here and there, but Thoroughbred action has quickly moved from one meet to the next.

But there was a time when the sport wasn't like that out West. After California underwent a racing Renaissance in the 1930s, it was routine for Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar to have just one meet a year, with few exceptions. In Santa Anita's case, once the winter (and later winter/spring) action wrapped up, fans would have to wait for the next winter to see racing again in Arcadia.

That wait ended on October 7, 1969.

It was an autumn day in Southern California, and it was a time filled with immense excitement for the region's racing circuit. On that first Tuesday of the month, thousands of fans headed into Santa Anita to be a part of opening day for the first ever Oak Tree Racing Association meet.

Led by a group of individuals who cared deeply for Thoroughbred racing, Oak Tree became part of a highly regarded circuit and racetrack. The first program consisted of nine races, and fillies and mares took center stage in the opener.

A total of twelve were entered in the six furlong claiming contest. When it came to the jockeys, some of the most recognizable names were in the lineup: Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Jerry Lambert and Ismael Valenzuela were among those with mounts in this historic race.

Valenzuela had the post time favorite for this event, teaming with Slush at just under 2-1. Next was Honour's Last with Lambert at close to 7-2. But neither of them would get the early lead.

That went to Hurricane Suzy, with Slush trailing in second after the first split. Slush would get the lead after, guiding the strung out field after a half-mile. She had a very narrow lead at that moment, and that continued on for a few more moments.

Slush still had the lead in the stretch, with a middle-priced horse named Sultan's Aabina trailing her. When all was said and done, the favorite ended up finishing off the board. At odds of more than 7-1, Sultan's Aabina gave the opening day crowd a surprise right out of the gate, winning the race for trainer C.L. Clayton with apprentice jockey Rudy Rosales in tow. Another surprise followed the winner: Smiling, who went off at nearly 18-1, took second (and in the process no doubt made those who bet him to place smile). Honour's Last completed the top three.

It was a big moment for Rosales, who would go on to sweep the first three races on the day. That turned out to be a foreshadowing, as Rosales would be co-champion rider of the meet with Pincay. Bill Hartack would get the nightcap, and Shoemaker would enjoy a good day by capturing a double. He would win the feature race as well, piloting Tell to victory in the Autumn Days Stakes on the turf.

Some legendary trainers would get into the win column that day, too. Reggie Cornell, Farrell Jones, John Longden and Charlie Whittingham all recorded at least one victory. Jones finished the day with two. Like Rosales, he set the tone for the meet early as he would take the training title when the meet concluded.

But all those individuals, and their fellow jockeys and trainers, were all part of something truly special at Santa Anita. For on that day, a tradition that would last for the next forty years began.

And along the way, great horses like Cougar II, Ancient Title, John Henry, Landaluce, Snow Chief, Lady's Secret and Ferdinand would appear at Oak Tree during their respective careers. What's more, several Thoroughbreds would use the meet as part of their championship campaigns. And Oak Tree would host the Breeders' Cup for the first time in 1986 and do so again on multiple occasions.

But it all began on an October day in 1969, and opening day at Oak Tree helped usher California racing into both a new decade and era.