Santa Anita Park benefits from Kentucky Derby Day

For the first time, Santa Anita Park held live racing on the day the Kentucky Derby was run, and the Arcadia track couldn’t be happier with the results.

The demise of Hollywood Park allowed Santa Anita to hold an 11-race card on Saturday, and attendance was 26,211, more than double last year’s Hollywood Park attendance of 10,152 on Kentucky Derby Day.

Also, the on-track handle was $4.1 million, up 41% over Hollywood Park’s $2.9 million. Overall handle was $21.3 million, up over Hollywood Park’s $19 million.

The track drew several thousand spectators in the infield with free admission and free parking.

Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby, with fans cheering enthusiastically while watching the race on Santa Anita’s infield video monitor.