Los Alamitos continues to set handle records

Handle figures continue to rise at the Los Alamitos evening meeting with few tracks nationwide operating because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Sunday, Los Alamitos handled a record $2,901,650 on a nine-race program of races for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds, eclipsing the previous mark of $2,843,573 from April 25.

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Nine of the track’s 10 all-time handle figures for evening programs have been recorded since April 18, including handle of $2.74 million on Saturday, fourth on the all-time list.

During the pandemic, the track is operating without spectators and with betting through account wagering.

Los Alamitos also has recently set track records for pools on individual wagers. The $1 early pick four handled a record $454,040 on Sunday, beating the previous mark of $442,781.

At times in the last few months, Los Alamitos has been the only domestic track racing in the evenings.

Los Alamitos has had an uninterrupted racing schedule this year and has been the only track operating in California since late March. Santa Anita has not raced since March 22 and hopes to resume racing on Friday, pending approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Golden Gate Fields in Northern California has not raced since March 29 and is scheduled to resume racing on Thursday.

In recent weeks, Los Alamitos has altered its racing program to present more races at 1,000 yards for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, drawing some Thoroughbreds who would typically race at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita.

Those races have been well received by owners and trainers, often drawing full fields and a lot of betting.