Santa Anita concluded its 86-day winter/spring meet on Sunday by recording
the largest season-to-season gain in on-track attendance since the end of World
War II in 1945. The average on-track attendance was 9,341, a 15.1 percent
increase over last year’s average of 8,113.
“With the support and encouragement of (Chairman of the Board) Frank Stronach
and (Executive Vice President and COO) Don Amos, we have been able to focus all
of our efforts on the racing experience and the patron experience,” said Ron
Charles, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Turf Club Inc. “I believe it has
shown in the quality of our product. The enthusiasm from race horse owners,
trainers, riders, breeders, the regulatory bodies, and especially the racing
fans — both new fans and our loyal regulars — was overwhelmingly positive from
opening day onward, and contributed mightily to the success of the best meet
here in years.”
Daily on-track handle was also up significantly. Average on-track wagering
was $2,245,531, which was an 11 percent increase compared to last year and the
highest average daily handle since 2001. On-track handle combined with
nationwide simulcasting, account deposit wagering, and betting at southern and
northern California off-track locations resulted in an increase of 9.3 percent
and an overall average of $11.6 million wagered daily on Santa Anita races.
In addition, Santa Anita enjoyed large gains in attendance on its showcase
days. The opening day crowd of 34,590 was the biggest since 1999 and generated
the largest opening day handle in the 71-year history of Santa Anita. A record
32,499 turned out for Sunshine Millions Day on January 28, up 81 percent over the same day in
2005. The Strub S. (G2) on February 4 attracted a crowd of 20,718, a 46 percent
increase from last year. On-track attendance for the March 4 Santa Anita H. (G1)
was 49,443, an increase of 37 percent from the previous year. The April 8 Santa
Anita Derby (G1) attracted a throng of 54,668, which was the biggest Derby Day
crowd since 1984 and represented a 42 percent increase from last year.
On-track handle was up on each of Santa Anita’s marquee afternoons as well.
“I’m thrilled at how well Santa Anita performed after the disastrous winter
weather in 2005,” Stronach said.
As a result, Santa Anita offered two separate 5 percent purse increases and
had a daily average purse distribution of more than $450,000, which was the
highest in six years. Additionally, field size averaged 8.5 horses per race,
which was also the largest in six years and which fueled an increase in overall
mutuel handle.
“Increasing field size is a primary goal of MEC,” Amos said. “Santa Anita has
met that goal in 2006. It now boasts the highest average field size of any track
in California and we are extremely proud.”
Doug O’Neill surged late to win the training title, defeating Bob Baffert 50-40. However, Baffert won 12 stakes races to O’Neill’s 11.
Pat Valenzuela was the leading rider, edging Victor Espinoza by a margin of
77-74.
Robert Bone finished atop the owners’ standings with 17 wins.
Santa Anita Derby hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark), the pre-race favorite to
win the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6, was named Horse of the Meet and
outstanding three-year-old in Santa Anita’s annual media poll.