Benoit Photo
With steady increases in attendance and all-sources handle
Saturday also features the Santa Anita Chili Cookoff, all proceeds benefiting the Foothill Unity Center providing immediate relief to the victims of the Eaton Fire.
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif. — Santa Anita Park’s 90th year finished the first six weeks of the season with continued momentum, posting gains over a strong first weekend in February. Through last weekend, the Classic Meet maintained increases in both on-track attendance and total all-sources handle for the season, which opened on Dec. 26. Wagering is up more than 7 percent as total all-sources handle has exceeded $185 million.
The business increases are despite the track being closed for a week due to the impact of the Eaton Fire on the local community. The weekend of Jan. 10-12 racing was postponed as Santa Anita hosted a pop-up relief effort/donation site in the south parking lot. Southern California Edison continues to use the north parking lot at Santa Anita as their command center, while Cal Fire (California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection) is using a large part of the south parking lot as their base camp though mid-February.
Field size continues to be a factor in sustaining the growth in both attendance and handle, as the average is up nearly a full horse over the corresponding time last year. The support of owners and trainers has provided an expanded inventory for the races. Horseplayers have also embraced the larger fields as well as the player-friendly modifications to Santa Anita’s wagering menu.
Racing is set to resume at Santa Anita on Friday, Feb. 7, for a three-day week, with first post time for the nine-race card at 12:30 p.m. PT. In addition to the $100,000 San Marcos Stakes, Saturday also features the Santa Anita Chili Cookoff, with all proceeds benefiting the Foothill Unity Center, which has been providing immediate relief to the victims of the Eaton Fire.
