By admin 
ARCADIA, Calif. (KABC) — Annie and Raul Gutierrez have a beautiful history at Santa Anita Park.
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While they first met back in the 4th grade, their love story started at the park, when they were young employees in the marketing department.
“We were 20, so we graduated a couple years, and we were here a lot together, and I mean, I knew he had feelings for a while,” said Annie, the marketing office manager. “So yeah, it was just a matter of time.”
“Just being around her, just I knew something,” Raul, the promotions supervisor, said. “She just made me feel comfortable. I didn’t have to be kind of shy around her or anything like that.”
Their first kiss was in the picnic area.
“We were on our lunch break, but yeah, that was the first time he kissed me,” she laughed.
Now, they are both longtime employees, Raul here for 29 years, Annie for 30.
The couple said this is their second home, and they said being together 24-7 works.
It’s a special place for many reasons: Annie’s late mother was also a longtime employee.
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“My mom was here 20 years, so I had been coming out as a child and just kind of grew up here on weekends,” she said.
Raul’s brother is also a longtime employee, and now, their oldest son is following in their footsteps.
As another season of horse racing approaches, they said the sights and sounds never get old.
“Seeing the fans walk through the gates, knowing it’s opening day, you know, it’s just, I don’t know,” Raul said.
“Something they’ve been looking forward to,” Annie adds. “Yeah, they’re excited that we’re back, live racing.”
Admission and general parking are free every Friday during the Autumn Meet.
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