'I feel we're on the verge of a new dawn for our sport' - optimism in the States

Andrew Scutts on how the US racing roadshow has stayed the trip despite Covid-19

Tiz The Law leads them home in front of a sparse crowd of racing professionals for the 2020 Belmont StakesCredit: Al Bello

It was a very good Good Friday for Santa Anita this year, with spectators returning to the track for the first time in more than 12 months.

While crowds will be capped at 9,000 for the time being, under Los Angeles County’s guidelines for outdoor sports, it is a huge step forward for US racing as it continues down the road towards a town called Normality.

Santa Anita was the big cancellation story last March, when Covid-19 took root, for unlike some other tracks around the country, it was closed on local authority say-so, leaving horses and participants high and dry.

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Published on 24 April 2021inFeatures

Last updated 12:12, 24 April 2021

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