Fittingly local ‘Horse of the Meet’ Spooky Channel put in a gallant highweight victory performance in the turf marathon Hasta La Vista Handicap to bring the 63rd racing season to a close Sunday at Turf Paradise.
“The 130-day session at times seemed like a marathon,” said general manager Vincent Francia. “But all the hard work by Team Turf was worth it.”
Total In-state handle, which comprises on-track and OTB handle, was up 5% to $70,349,780 from previous season’s $67,026,757. On track handle remained basically even with $16,791,100 to previous season’s $16,765,805. However, the OTB system showed growth with a 7% jump from $67,026,757 to $70,349,780.
Out-of-state handle was off 5%, $143,646,074 compared to last season’s $151,694,855.
“We lost two days due to rain,” said Francia, “and five days where our turf races had to be moved to off tracks, reducing field size due to scratches. It’s our turf racing which is so popular with our out-of-state horseplayers.”
A total of 1,040 live races were run in the recently completed season, 188 of them turf races. There were 7,740 starters.
Also, incidences of catastrophic injuries to horses dropped considerably this meet.
“We are coordinating with the Division of Racing to release the data soon,” said Francia. “But the fatalities are down considerably from the previous season when the numbers spiked past the national average.”
Turf Paradise is scheduled to open in mid-October.
“The 130-day session at times seemed like a marathon,” said general manager Vincent Francia. “But all the hard work by Team Turf was worth it.”
Total In-state handle, which comprises on-track and OTB handle, was up 5% to $70,349,780 from previous season’s $67,026,757. On track handle remained basically even with $16,791,100 to previous season’s $16,765,805. However, the OTB system showed growth with a 7% jump from $67,026,757 to $70,349,780.
Out-of-state handle was off 5%, $143,646,074 compared to last season’s $151,694,855.
“We lost two days due to rain,” said Francia, “and five days where our turf races had to be moved to off tracks, reducing field size due to scratches. It’s our turf racing which is so popular with our out-of-state horseplayers.”
A total of 1,040 live races were run in the recently completed season, 188 of them turf races. There were 7,740 starters.
Also, incidences of catastrophic injuries to horses dropped considerably this meet.
“We are coordinating with the Division of Racing to release the data soon,” said Francia. “But the fatalities are down considerably from the previous season when the numbers spiked past the national average.”
Turf Paradise is scheduled to open in mid-October.
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