Attendance, Betting Drop Slightly at Santa Anita

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An abnormally large amount of rainfall for the second season in a row resulted in slight declines in attendance and wagering at Santa Anita Park. The Southern California track reported the meet that concluded Monday had average daily handle (all sources) of $11,101,384, down 3.2 percent from last year.

With average daily on-track attendance of 10,486 representing a 3.7 percent drop from last year, the average daily on-track handle was off 2.3 percent.

"We are very satisfied with our numbers," said Santa Anita general manager Brant Latta, "particularly in light of the weather. More than 16 inches of rain, or twice the usual amount, fell in Southern California this year. March and April were also unseasonably cool, with temperatures in the 60s compared with the 72-degree weather typical for this time of the year. Had we enjoyed good weather on (Santa Anita) Derby Day we would have been virtually even with last year in attendance and handle."

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