Santa Anita crowds, bets grow

Santa Anita Park continues to enjoy a rebound racing season, with overall handle currently up seven percent and field size remaining strong at 8.3 horses per race, compared to 7.7 a year ago. The track will continue to run a four-day-a-week schedule through closing day, April 22.

“We’re very pleased with how the meeting is going,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. After the biggest opening day crowd in 18 years when 44, 579 attended on Dec. 26, Sunshine Millions Day on Jan. 28 drew 30,514 on a day that also featured another California Food Truck Festival, a Miss Sunshine Millions Bikini Contest, and live entertainment.

— By Scott Hettrick