by Ed DeRosa

The first day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships two-day program attracted 31,257 to Santa Anita Park on Friday, 3,454 more than attended last year’s inaugural Breeders’ Cup Friday program at Monmouth Park.

The Friday program included five Breeders’ Cup races, including three Grade 1 events. Last year’s program included three new stakes that did not receive a grade.

“The horse racing fans of Southern California and sports fans around the world responded enthusiastically to the new format for Championship Friday,” Breeders’ Cup Ltd. President Greg Avioli said. “This was a day of amazing performances on the track, led by Zenyatta's spectacular Ladies’ Classic (G1), and a perfect start to the 25th Breeders' Cup World Championships.”

A North American-record all-source handle for a Friday was wagered on the ten-race card. Total handle was $47,863,774, of which $6,852,096 was wagered on track at Santa Anita. All-source handle for the five Breeders’ Cup World Championship races was $33,180,205, of which $4,315,487 was bet on track.

The pick six pool, which included both Breeders’ Cup and non-Breeders’ Cup races, was $1,008,267. Another $1,073,301 was wagered into the pick four pool, which encompassed both Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita races.

Post time for Saturday’s 11-race card that begins with nine Breeders’ Cup races is 10:10 PDT.

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times