A perfect day for racing

Just did a quick check on Saturday's weather report for Santa Anita Derby day and I'm sure it has Santa Anita track officials beaming -- sunny and 73 degrees. The weather, coupled with the free T-shirts and the fact that this is a day when many people make it their lone trip to the track each year -- should mean another large turnout.

The past three Santa Anita Derbies have drawn on-track crowds in excess of 50,000, with a high of 56,810 in 2007 when Tiago scored his 29-1 shocker. Counting off-track, there was a total attendance figure of 71,596 that day.

The largest Santa Anita Derby on-track crowd ever? In 1984, 63,130 witnessed Mighty Adversary's win at 32-1 for jockey Eddie Delahoussaye and the late trainer Tommy Doyle.

There are 11 races this year, with the Santa Anita Derby set to go as the sixth race and be televised live by NBC between 2 and 3 p.m. NBC will also teleivse the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course. The Santa Anita Derby is scheduled to go postward at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Overall, it should be a great day of racing.