It was a memorable opening day at Santa Anita Park Saturday as the race track enjoyed the biggest crowds in ten years to help celebrate the iconic venue’s 75th anniversary.
The 35,292 attendees collectively wagered $4,531,236, a 12% increase from last year, while the inter-track handle was up 5% to $3,182,200. Out-of-state handle was down about 7% to $7,200,517.30 but the grand total of $14,913,953.70 was up 1%.
But this was a day about more than betting and business and numbers. After a pre-opening dedication of a Historical Marker by the Arcadia Historical Society, Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally helped to unveil a life-sized bronze statue of John Henry, sculpted by Nina Kaiser, in front of a large crowd gathered at the Kingsbury Fountain adjacent to the walking ring. The likeness of the revered gelding, who won 12 stakes at Santa Anita during the 1980s, will permanently stand near the track paddock.
“Of course, he won most of his races at Santa Anita, so it’s appropriate that they would have a statue of him here,” said McAnally, conditioner of the two-time Horse of the Year. “The girl (sculptor Nina Kaiser) did a marvelous job.”
After the day’s sixth race, the crowd enthusiastically cheered undefeated Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Zenyatta who was paraded in front of the grandstand and into the winner’s circle by Mike Smith. It marked her last scheduled public appearance before heading for the breeding shed in Kentucky.
Zenyatta, the 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry, climaxed her brilliant career with a 14th consecutive triumph when defeating males in the $5 million Classic co-hosted by the Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.
“It’s very emotional facing the realization that she won’t be with us anymore,” said Dottie Ingordo, wife of trainer John Shirreffs and racing manager for owners Jerry and Ann Moss. “We’ve had Zenyatta since she was a yearling, so the attachment is understandable and extremely strong. There’s no rush to send her to Kentucky. It’s cold and snowing there. Here she can hang with her buddies.”
“The ceremony was beautiful,” Ingordo continued. “We can’t thank Santa Anita and the crowd enough. Everybody was fabulous. Zenyatta loved it. She had a ball. She enjoyed every moment of it. She loves the crowd and she loves being a part of it.”