Santa Anita gets go-ahead to allow more customers soon

Crowds at Santa Anita may be a little larger than expected starting next week. On Tuesday, the state announced less severe pandemic restrictions on outdoor sporting venues in Los Angeles County. As a result, Santa Anita will be allowed grandstand occupancy up to 33 percent starting Monday, compared to the current 20 percent, track officials said.

This Friday, general customers will be admitted at Santa Anita for the first time since March 8, 2020. Since September, the track has allowed owners to attend on days they have runners participating.

Santa Anita plans to cap attendance at approximately 7,000 to 8,000 this week, according to track president Nate Newby.

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Santa Anita Clocker Report

Wednesday, Newby said that customers must purchase tickets in advance through santaanita.com/open. Infield space can be reserved, but Newby cautioned that Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby program was nearing a sell-out.

Customers will be allowed to bring their own food and beverages, but no glass containers or alcohol. Concession opportunities will be limited, Newby said.

Friday’s program will be the first time apprentice jockeys Alexis Centeno, Emily Ellingwood, and Jessica Pyfer have ridden before an ontrack audience. They have all started their careers since the pandemic began.

“A crowd cheering will be completely different,” Ellingwood said.

The potential interaction with fans, particularly on the path leading to and from the paddock, recently crossed Pyfer’s mind.

“It will be cool for me and Emily,” she said. “They’ll be little girls coming up to us. We can give them our goggles. When I first started riding, I thought of that.”

For the veterans, customers also will be a welcome return. Tyler Baze began riding in 1999 and has watched the way account wagering has affected audiences, keeping people away from the track.

“We used to get crowds when I started,” he said. “The online gambling has dwindled our fans.”

Having customers at the track is a small sign of life returning to normal, he said.

“People need something to do,” Baze said. “It will be nice. I hope it’s some comfort.”