After a delayed start last December, Santa Anita's 2025-26 meet concluded on Monday, June 15, the first time the meet has ended on a Monday in its 91-year history.The on-track crowd totaled over 540,000 fans for the season and averaged more than 7,000 per day over the 77-day season, which included both the Classic and Hollywood meets.All sources handle totaled $708,112,231, with an average daily handle of $9,196,263. It marked the sixth consecutive year daily handle has exceeded $9 million for the Winter-Spring season.“Santa Anita is one of the most magnificent racetracks in the world and an integral part of American racing over the first half of the calendar year,” said Bill Nader, President of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “The purse for a maiden allowance during the Spring meet was up more than 20% when compared to two years ago. We are perfectly positioned for another increase next year.”Hall of Famer Bob Baffert just edged out Michael McCarthy to lead the trainer standings with 14 stakes wins.Among owners, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables won six stakes each, all with partners. The partnserships combined with the Estate of Brereton C. Jones on the ownership of Thought Process, who won both the GI Gamely and the GII Buena Vista Stakes in her two races this year.Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith also recorded his 5,800th win in the saddle this season, while Tyler Baze and Juan Hernandez both notched their 3,000th appearance in the winner's circle. Hernandez had 17 stakes wins to lead all jockeys.The season got off Dec. 28, in front of the largest opening day crowd since 2016. It was the strongest Sunday curtain raiser this century. Despite record rainfall delaying the traditional Dec. 26 opener two days, wagering topped more than $18.2 million, marking the eighth time in the last nine years that the opening day handle surpassed the $18 million mark.The meet's conclusion was also pushed back a day given the cancellation of four races because of loss of power issues at the Arcadia oval on June 12.Santa Anita Handicap Day saw the largest crowd in attendance this decade wager 11% more on track than 2025, contributing to a total handle of nearly $15 million. Santa Anita Derby Day checked in with the largest crowd in attendance since 2018, an increase of more than 9% over 2025. Total handle was $18,670,017, the highest of the meet. More than 15,000 fans then returned to Santa Anita to watch the Kentucky Derby and wager more than $17.3 million on the first Saturday in May.“We are grateful to everyone who supported Santa Anita Park this past season, whether with their horses, their time, or their wagering dollars,” said Nate Newby, SVP and General Manager of Santa Anita Park. “The energy that the big crowds bring to one of the greatest venues in the sport is a reminder of why this continues to be a special place.”Live racing returns to Santa Anita Park on Friday, Sept. 25 for the six-week Autumn meet. The post Santa Anita 2025-26 Meet Concludes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.