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Field size, handle down at Santa Anita Santa Anita's 75th anniversary meeting endured both economic and weather-related challenges, but the meet ended on a high note Sunday as a crowd of 17,345 attended on-track. Closing day featured the 71st running of the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2), which was won by Bourbon Bay (Sligo Bay [Ire]) ridden by Rafael Bejarano. "It was great to finish up like we did today," Santa Anita President Ron Charles said. "The San Juan Capistrano was a great way for us to go out, and despite the fact we faced a number of issues over the course of the meet, it went very quickly." Santa Anita continues to be America's number-one winter racing venue in terms of all source handle, on-track handle and on-track attendance. "We knew in December that we would be facing significant challenges," Charles said. "The bad economy, especially here in California, is an obvious reason for some of the declines, but we also must acknowledge that the problems we continue to have with drainage on the main track and a reduced horse inventory definitely contributed as well." Santa Anita experienced periods of heavy rain in January and February and as a result, had to cancel five days of racing, including two Saturdays, one of which was Strub Stakes Day, February 6. "What hurt us just as much as the actual cancellations was the uncertainty as to whether or not we'd be able to run," Charles said. "The main track performed very well overall. We had an extraordinarily safe meet and that is our number one priority." Santa Anita's field size was 8.2 horses per race last year, and this meet it fell slightly to 7.9. "We were pleased to be able to maintain our regular five-day week, with the exception of the weather-related cancellations, despite the fact we had fewer horses," said Charles. Overall daily average handle for the 78-day meeting declined 11 percent. On-track attendance was down 6 percent, while on-track daily handle dipped 15 percent. Southern California Off Track Wagering Inc. (SCOTWINC) average daily handle was down 8 percent. Out of state average daily handle was down 13 percent. The track's signature event, the March 6 Santa Anita H. (G1), was impacted by rain, but still attracted an on-track crowd of 23,829. The Big 'Cap was won by the Bob Baffert-trained Misremembered (Candy Ride [Arg]), who was ridden by Martin Garcia. Live racing will resume at Santa Anita on September 29, with opening day of the Oak Tree meeting. Santa Anita will be open for simulcasting in the interim, beginning with opening day at Hollywood Park on Wednesday. For more information on Santa Anita Park, fans are encouraged to visit www.SantaAnita.com
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