Santa Anita officials hope to hit 100,000 in Breeders' Cup attendance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita officials are hopeful that the Breeders’ Cup races Friday and Saturday will draw at least 100,000 fans for the two days.

“The weather looks right,” said track senior vice president Joe Morris. “The presales are strong. We should be there.”

Morris said approximately 35,000 people are expected to attend Friday’s program, while Saturday’s attendance is predicted to reach 65,000.

“We could get close to 70,000,” Morris said.

In 2014, the last year the event was held at Santa Anita, the Friday program drew 37,205, while the Saturday program drew 61,114.

Morris said late Sunday afternoon that fewer than 200 reserved seats were still available in the track’s grandstand for Saturday’s program. He said the suites and restaurants were booked.