The grocery store workers were on strike, or so it appeared. I've been to 3/4s of the BCs, & these were the worst betting lines I've seen yet, apparently because many of the machines were replaced with temps. You quite literally had to get in line at the conclusion of the previous race in order to get a bet in on the next race. As for the attendance, I thought 51k was a lot less than they were expecting, & I'm pretty sure there were bigger crowds at each of the other venues you mention. Nonetheless, I actually enjoyed the racing immensely & am not suggesting that the BC never be held in California again, or that I won't be back if it is, assuming I'm still around. More than anything, I found the whole experience almost surreal, particularly on Sun. It seemed to me bizarre to be watching & betting on horses running around in a circle with the smoke from burning homes rising in the background.