CLIPBOARD : It’s a Fair Race

One of the biggest money-makers for the Orange County Fair is thoroughbred horse racing, which is run at Los Alamitos Race Track in conjunction with the fair. Last year, more than $21 million was wagered during the fair’s 18-day run. And of all the fair meets in the state, Orange County’s had the third-highest per-capita handle. Bettors here ventured an average of $184 per person.

ATTENDANCE Total Total Average Total Fair Days Daily Wagers Alameda County 13 169,987 13,076 $29,799,088 Cal Expo & State Fair 13 98,678 7,591 15,189,288 Fresno District 13 119,983 9,229 12,086,283 Humboldt County 10 43,062 4,306 1,308,722 Los Angeles County 19 280,676 14,772 60,456,160 Orange County 18 115,896 6,439 21,295,278 San Joaquin County 13 73,575 5,660 12,650,450 San Mateo County 12 117,766 9,814 23,074,950 Solano County 13 137,940 10,611 24,072,769 Sonoma County 13 168,576 12,967 27,522,765 TOTAL 137 1,326,139 9,680 $227,455,753

WAGERING Average Per Fair Daily Capita Alameda County $2,292,238 $175 Cal Expo & State Fair 1,168,407 154 Fresno District 929,714 101 Humboldt County 130,872 30 Los Angeles County 3,181,903 215 Orange County 1,183,071 184 San Joaquin County 973,112 172 San Mateo County 1,922,913 196 Solano County 1,851,751 175 Sonoma County 2,117,136 183 TOTAL $1,660,261 $172

Source: California Horse Racing Board