Starting from February 28, Santa Anita Park will enhance its prize money for the remainder of its winter meet, extending through April 6. This decision follows a series of positive business indicators during the initial six weeks of the season, which commenced on December 26. The purse increments are a collaborative effort with the Thoroughbred Owners of California and will be reflected in the fourth condition book issued by the track this month. On average, daily racehorse owner payouts will see an 8% increase. Furthermore, the spring meet, scheduled from April 18 to June 16, will witness an average 10% rise in purses, varying between 8% and 11% depending on the class level. Despite facing challenges such as the Los Angeles County wildfires, Santa Anita has reported improvements in total betting handle, on-track attendance, and field size.

The recent enhancements at Santa Anita Park reflect a strategic shift towards optimizing racing conditions and financial rewards for participants. Bill Nader, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, emphasized that transitioning to a single circuit is pivotal for these purse increases over the next four months. This move is just the beginning, with plans to achieve a balanced purse budget and further phased increases for owners and breeders. The collaboration between Santa Anita and TOC aims to strengthen the racing community by ensuring sustainable growth and support.

Nate Newby, senior vice president and general manager of Santa Anita, expressed gratitude to the owners, trainers, and horsemen for their unwavering support this season. Horseplayers have shown enthusiasm by increasing their wagering, while the influx of horses from Northern California has bolstered field sizes. The stable area at Santa Anita is now fully occupied, providing diverse racing opportunities that cater to various categories. This robust engagement underscores the positive reception of the new strategies implemented by the track.

The 90th anniversary season of Santa Anita kicked off with remarkable success, drawing the largest opening day crowd in eight years. Global horseplayers contributed to an all-sources betting handle exceeding $21.4 million, marking a 17.4% increase over the previous year. This figure represents the third-highest opening day handle in the track's history. The on-track attendance of 41,562 was the largest non-weekend or holiday opening day crowd since 1990, highlighting the enduring appeal and significance of Santa Anita Park in the racing world.