The biggest opening-day crowd in eight years ushered in Santa Anita Park’s ninetieth 12 months Dec. 26, becoming a member of horseplayers around the globe in betting on the races with a complete all-sources mutuel deal with of greater than $21.4 million. Â
The deal with was the third-highest within the observe’s historical past for a gap day and a rise of 17.4% over final 12 months, marking the fourth time prior to now seven years that the opening-day deal with topped $20 million.
The on-track attendance of 41,562 was the most important non-weekend or vacation crowd on opening day since 1990. This was the eleventh Thursday opening for Santa Anita, which historically opens the day after Christmas.Â
“Our racing workplace supplied an distinctive program, the homeowners and trainers supported it, and the horseplayers and followers strongly responded to kick off our ninetieth 12 months,” mentioned Nate Newby, Santa Anita’s senior vice chairman and basic supervisor. “We’re grateful to everybody who labored laborious to make it a hit, particularly those that joined us to not solely witness terrific racing however benefit from the occasions on observe. The Southern California climate couldn’t have been extra cooperative, and this was a terrific solution to begin the celebration at The Nice Race Place.”Join BloodHorse Every day
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Workers.
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