Santa Anita sets opening-day handle record
ARCADIA, Calif. -- Santa Anita had a record all-sources handle of $26,315,016 on Monday’s 11-race program on the first day of the winter-spring meeting, significantly higher than the previous mark of $23,003,159 set in 2020.
Monday’s handle figures included revenue from simulcasting and account wagering sources.
Monday’s ontrack crowd of 41,446 handled $3,165,792, according to a statement issued by the track. The ontrack crowd was much higher than the 2019 audience of 35,085, the last opening day before the pandemic.
Opening day in 2020 was limited to a small number of participants and owners with horses competing. The 2021 opening day drew a crowd of 20,537 who were required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards or a negative test from the preceding 72 hours.
Monday’s audience was boosted by outstanding weather in the 70s, and a national holiday. The crowd was far below the 1988 record of 65,164 for an opening day, a time well before the development of account wagering and a year in which simulcasting was in its infancy.
But Monday’s crowd compared well with the 41,373 who attended the first day of the 2018-19 meeting.
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Racing resumes Friday for a four-day week through Monday. The winter-spring meeting runs through June 18.
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