Photos: Los Alamitos opening day

Jockey Efrain Hernandez tries to control jittery thoroughbred Charmstealer before the start of the second thoroughbred race at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday. This is the first time thoroughbreds have raced at the track since 1991.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Cristina Gutierrez, left, and Yvonne Brown study the race program before placing their bets during thoroughbred racing at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Thoroughbred horses bolt from the starting gate in the first race at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Horses reach the finish line in front of the grandstands during the fifth thoroughbred race at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A crowd of 5,700 attended thoroughbred racing at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Yvonne Brown and Cristina Gutierrez react as the horse they picked to win, Twenty Six Acts, comes in first place during the third race at Los Alamitos Race Course on Thursday.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A mural of horses and jockeys hangs on the wall inside Los Alamitos Race Course.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

James Mata, 45, of Fullerton cheers for his horse in the second race at Los Alamitos Race Course. Mata has been coming to the track since he was a youngster. “I am so happy the thoroughbreds are back. This is the biggest crowd in 20 years,” he said.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)