Obtaining the spring race dates in the aftermath of the closing of Hollywood Park has turned out to be even better than expected for Santa Anita Park‘s business.
Santa Anita enjoyed a day of multiple records Saturday, June 7, 2014, during its first day being open for horse racing while the Belmont Stakes was running. In fact, this spring has been the first time Santa Anita has been a live racing partner for any of the three legs of the Triple Crown, starting with the Kentucky Derby and including the Preakness.
Santa Anita Park on June 7, 2014
As a result, the track enjoyed the following records Saturday:
- On-track attendance of 31,208 was up from last year’s 6,338, an increase of 392 percent.
- On-track handle of $5,270,850 was up over last year’s $1,928,673, an increase of 173 percent over last year.
- Total handle of $21,289,475 was up significantly over last year’s $14,448,470, an increase of 47 percent.
All these figures also exceeded those from Hollywood Park last year. Hollywood Park closed for live racing on Dec. 22 and Santa Anita picked up many of their racing dates, and thus the combination of many of the attendees who attended both Hollywood Park and Santa Anita.
“Our on-track handle was very gratifying,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Vice President of Marketing, noting that it was one of the most successful Belmont Stakes days in Southern California racing history. “…We’re looking forward to many more great Triple Crown moments in the future.”
Santa Anita’s 38-day Spring Meeting runs through June 29.
