It was supposed to be a quiet weekend at the track. Walker Buehler, the Dodgers’ high-octane right-hander, was just trying to enjoy some world-class horse racing at Santa Anita Park. He’s a Kentucky guy. Born and raised in Lexington, the man basically has thoroughbred racing in his DNA. He even owns a micro-share of the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic. So, being at the inaugural California Crown on September 28, 2024, wasn’t just a celebrity appearance—it was a passion project.
Then things got weird.
While walking with his wife, McKenzie, through a dense crowd, a group of people suddenly encircled them. It wasn't a friendly huddle. Before Buehler even realized what was happening, someone had unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and slipped a watch worth roughly $100,000 right off his wrist.
The Santa Anita Park Walker Buehler Robbery: A Professional Job?
The way this went down at Santa Anita Park with Walker Buehler wasn’t some random, clumsy mugging. This was surgical. According to reports from the Arcadia Police Department, Buehler was one of three people targeted that same day by organized groups. These weren't your average pickpockets; they were "organized groups of people" whose entire game plan was using the chaos of a 22,000-person crowd to snag high-end timepieces.
Basically, they use a "distraction and encircle" tactic.
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One group creates a bottleneck. You feel a bit of jostling—maybe a bump or a "sorry, excuse me"—and by the time you've regained your personal space, your Rolex or Patek Philippe is gone. In Buehler’s case, the thieves actually had the audacity to unbutton his cuff. Honestly, the level of dexterity required to do that to a professional athlete without him immediately swinging is pretty terrifying.
Breaking Down the Timeline
The timing of the incident added a whole other layer of stress to the Dodgers' postseason run.
- September 27: Buehler makes his final regular-season start.
- September 28: He stays behind while the team travels to Colorado, choosing to spend the day at Santa Anita Park.
- October 7-8: News of the robbery breaks just as Buehler is prepping to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
Imagine trying to focus on a playoff start at Petco Park while the national media is buzzing about you getting "mobbed" at a racetrack. It’s a lot. His agency, Excel Sports Management, had to put out a statement confirming he was okay and that his focus remained on the mound.
Why Was This Case So High-Profile?
Aside from the $100,000 price tag on the watch, the Santa Anita Park Walker Buehler story caught fire because it tapped into a growing fear about high-end crime in Southern California. We’ve seen similar "snatch and grab" incidents in places like Beverly Hills or the Melrose District, but the racetrack? That felt new.
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One suspect, a 24-year-old named Camilo Nino-Hernandez, was actually caught that day, though it was in connection to a different victim. Police say these crews were specifically looking for the "whales"—the people wearing houses on their wrists.
It makes you think about the risks athletes take just by being out in public. A guy like Buehler isn't going to hide in a basement, but when you're a recognizable face at a venue where people go to flash their cash, you're a target.
What Kind of Watch Was It?
While official reports stayed a bit vague, most insiders and news outlets like ABC7 tagged the value at over $100,000. Rumors in the watch community suggested it was a high-end Rolex, though the specific model was never publicly broadcast by Buehler himself. Honestly, if you're a pitcher who has made over $10 million in a single season, a six-figure watch is a standard "I've made it" purchase. Losing it to a group of "distraction thieves" is a bitter pill to swallow.
Lessons from the Paddock
So, what do we actually take away from the Santa Anita Park Walker Buehler situation? First, security at these massive events is never a guarantee. Even with Santa Anita's private security and Arcadia PD on-site, a professional crew can disappear into a crowd of 20,000 in seconds.
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If you're heading to a high-traffic event, keep these points in mind:
- Sleeve Security: If you’re wearing a high-value watch, a loose shirt sleeve is basically an invitation. Wear something with tight cuffs or, better yet, leave the "heavy metal" in the safe for the day.
- Awareness of "The Encircle": If a group of strangers suddenly creates a tight perimeter around you in a moving crowd, your "spidey senses" should be screaming.
- Insurance is King: For guys like Buehler, these items are almost certainly insured. The trauma of being accosted is the real damage, but the financial hit is usually mitigated by a good policy.
Despite the robbery, Buehler still went out and pitched in the playoffs. He showed the kind of grit you'd expect from a Lexington native who knows that in horse racing—and in life—sometimes you get bumped at the turn.
Next Steps for Protection
To avoid becoming a target at major sporting venues or public gatherings, the most practical move is to register your high-end timepieces with databases like the Enquirus (by Richemont) or The Watch Register. If a stolen watch like Buehler's ever shows up at a reputable auction house or service center, these registries are the first line of defense in getting the property back to the rightful owner. If you haven't documented your serial numbers yet, do it today.