An announced on-track crowd of 41,562 welcomed the return of live racing to Santa Anita Thursday afternoon, the largest non-weekend or holiday crowd on opening day since 1990 and biggest opening-day crowd in eight years, track officials said late Thursday. Total all-sources handle of more than $21.4 million was the third-highest in track history for an opening-day program and marked a 17.4% increase over 2023. It was the fourth time in the last seven years that handle exceeded $20 million.
“Our Racing Office offered an exceptional program, the owners and trainers supported it, and the horseplayers and fans strongly responded to kick off our 90th year,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita's SVP & General Manager. “We are thankful to everyone who worked hard to make it a success, especially those who joined us to not only witness terrific racing but enjoy the events on track. The Southern California weather could not have been more cooperative, and this was a terrific way to start the celebration at The Great Race Place.”
The afternoon featured not only three Grade I races for 3-year-olds and a record-breaking performance from jockey Flavien Prat, but also included the inaugural running of the GII Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes, with the hall of famer on hand to make the trophy presentation. Pincay, Jr. turns 78 this coming weekend.
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