DEL MAR — The collapse of the Northern California racing circuit has led to bigger fields and larger handles for Del Mar and Santa Anita this year.

But the transition hasn’t been easy for Northern California trainers who have been forced to either move their horses south, out of state or close operations.

“It’s tougher down here, but we’re trying,” said trainer D, Wayne Baker, who was at Golden Gate Fields for 19 years before that track closed last year, triggering the final collapse of the Northern California circuit.

“The trainers and barns from Northern California have been forced to make a lot of adjustments in the past year. It’s not just us moving our horses and generally stepping up in competition. It’s also forced our workers to make some life-changing decisions. It’s affected a

See Full Page