TV Buzz at Santa Anita

There is a beehive of activity at Santa Anita this morning where television crews have descended to film a commercial for Wrigley's Gum. It is amazing to see the huge amount of equipment, crew members, and support services that the Hollywood studios bring along. There must be 25 people (all young and good looking) with walkie talkies, scurrying about. The caterer is already setting up the most important part -- a fabulous looking buffet for actors and crew.

Santa Anita, with its beautiful grounds and historic art deco buildings, is regularly rented out for TV and movie shoots. Recent productions include the kitchen scene in the 2006 movie "Bobby" starring Emilio Estevez, and a series about jockeys filmed for the Animal Planet and featuring Mike Smith and Chantal Sutherland. The series premiers in February.