Claiming activity in Southern California surged at Hollywood Park this summer, a positive indicator for horse ownership as the popular summer meet at Del Mar completes its first week of the 2011 season.
Hollywood Park reported a total of 195 horses were claimed during the 54-day meet ending July 17, a 29% increase over the 151 horses taken through claims during the 57-day Hollywood stand in 2010.
The total cost of the purchases at the recent Hollywood meet was $4,206,500 compared to $3,120,000 a year ago, an increase of nearly 35%.
With the bigger purses at Del Mar, the trend is continuing. There were 35 claims in the first three days of the meet and a total of $682,000 expended.