Santa Anita preparing to welcome spectators back

Friday morning at Santa Anita, the track’s front office had a calmer atmosphere than the corresponding day in 2020.

On the final Friday of March last year, the track was deemed a nonessential business by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and was ordered closed within an hour of first post time. Racing did not resume until May 15.

Friday, track officials were planning the reopening of the venue for customers on April 2 for the first time since March 8, 2020. The state of California recently approved guidelines allowing a limited number of fans at outdoor sporting events starting April 1.

At the current winter-spring meeting, which began Dec. 26, a small number of owners have attended the races on days in which they have horses competing.

Track general manager Nate Newby said details of the next week’s reopening were being finalized Friday and will include outdoor seating only to a limited audience. Customers must book seats in advance and cannot buy admission at the box office on race day.

“That’s in the guidelines from the state,” Newby said.

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The track will utilize a contactless, and cashless, ordering system for food and drink service via mobile phone system that has been in place in recent months for owners.

“We’re putting the final touches on our reopening plan,” Newby said. “Everything is going in the right direction.”

Sports fans in California have not been permitted to attend live outdoor events since early March 2020. The state’s Major League Baseball teams will open their home seasons in coming weeks with limited audiences.