Overnight purses at Santa Anita will increase an average of 8% beginning Feb. 28 and continuing through the remainder of the track's Classic Meet Apr. 6. The boost in prize money comes after increases in key business metrics through the first six weeks of the season and were made as a result of collaborative discussions with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, according to a release from Santa Anita.
Purses for Santa Anita Park's Hollywood Meet will increase an average of 10% over the 2024 season, with increases ranging from 8 to 11% depending on class level. The Hollywood Meet begins Apr. 18 and runs through June 16.
Santa Anita has recorded increases in total all-sources handle, on-track attendance and field size in 2025, despite being impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires last month.
“The transition to a single circuit is the key enabler to the purse increases over the next four months and it is only the beginning,” said Bill Nader, TOC President & CEO. “We will work closely with Santa Anita to return to a balanced purse budget and anticipate further increases for owners and breeders in a phased approach as we continue our new path working together. The early results of the California transition are encouraging.”
The track began its 90th anniversary season Dec. 26 with the largest opening day crowd in eight years and all-sources handle of $21.4 million. The total handle was the third highest in the track's history for an opening day and an increase of 17.4% over last year, marking the fourth time in the last seven years that the opening day handle topped $20 million. The on-track attendance of 41,562 was the largest non-weekend or holiday opening day crowd largest since 1990.
“We are appreciative of the owners, trainers and horsemen who have been very supportive of Santa Anita Park this season,” said Nate Newby, SVP & General Manager of Santa Anita Park. “Horseplayers have embraced the product on the track with their wagering dollars. Field size has been bolstered by horses from Northern California, many of whom have relocated to the South. Santa Anita Park's stable area is full, creating opportunities to race in a variety of categories to suit their conditions.”
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