Tag: handle

Oregon’s Grants Pass Downs Completes Record-Breaking Season

Continuing its upward trajectory as Oregon's premier horse racing track, Grants Pass Downs established a new record for total handle during the 17-day spring/summer meeting that concluded Monday, July 6.

Total handle for the spring/summer meeting was a record $6,919,434, with a daily average handle of $407,026. The meet, which featured 138 total races, paid out $1,130,916 in purses and a $66,524 daily average. Average field size was 7.34.

Grants Pass Downs President Randy Evers cited the support of horsemen, the return of fans, and the nationwide support of horseplayers as highlights.

“I am so grateful for the support of our fans both locally and across the country as Grants Pass Downs continues to grow and set wagering records,” Evers said. “It was very special to welcome back all of our great fans at Grants Pass Downs as Covid restrictions were relaxed.

“To hear the roar of the crowd as the horses left the starting gate, well it was something I really missed and brought a huge smile to my face. Our entire team is working hard to prepare for our fall race meet. I have every confidence it will be another giant step forward on our incredible adventure!”

There were numerous on-track achievements during the 17-day spring/summer season:

• Joree Scriver with 23 wins and Quinn Howey with 13 wins each captured their second straight riding and training crowns at Grants Pass Downs.

• 6-year-old gelding El Alto Hombre reeled off four consecutive wins including three stakes triumphs for trainer Liz Kowalski and owner Anthony Hoover; 4-year-old filly Jaded Tiger also won four races including two stakes for owner/trainer Jaqueline Smith.

• 2-year-old gelding Five Bars Blazin scored a $34.80 upset in the $90,000 Firecracker Futurity—the richest race in the history of Grants Pass Downs—before a season-high 3,130 fans.

• 7-year-old gelding Capes Hot Rocket swept all three legs of the inaugural O B Harbor Sprint Series sponsored by Jody Peetz and the Oregon HBPA.

Grants Pass Downs resumes live racing Monday, Sept. 20, with opening day of the 18-day Fall meeting.

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Belmont Meet Generates Handle 20 Percent Higher Than In 2019

The New York Racing Association Inc., (NYRA) announced Wednesday that the Belmont Park spring/summer meet generated $632,208,251 in all sources handle, a 20.6 percent increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet and 63.5 percent above the 2020 spring/summer meet, which was abbreviated to just 25 days because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spring/summer meet, which began on April 22 without spectators in attendance before reopening to a limited number of spectators on May 1, boasted 59 stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purse money.

Average daily handle over the 48 days of racing was $13,171,005, a 20.6 percent increase over 2019. The abbreviated 2020 spring/summer meet saw average daily handle of $15,466,198.

2021 marked the return of the Belmont Stakes to its customary spot on the racing calendar and its famed distance of 1 1/2 miles. In 2020, a readjustment to the stakes schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw the “Test of the Champion” run without spectators in attendance and as the opening leg of the Triple Crown series for the first time in history.

The June 5 Belmont Stakes Day card, highlighted by Essential Quality's heart-pounding victory in the 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, generated all-sources handle of $112,725,278; a NYRA record for a non-Triple Crown year.

On-track handle for the 13-race Belmont Stakes Day card, which included eight Grade 1 races among nine total stakes, was $7,532,571.

A total of 454 races were run during the spring/summer meet including 243 on dirt and 211 on the turf. A total of 33 races were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size over the 454 races was 7.6. This compares to 448 total races run in 2019, including 260 on dirt and 188 on turf. A total of 46 races were taken off the turf due to weather that year. Average field size in 2019 was 7.0.

A total of 248 races were run during the abbreviated 2020 spring/summer meet including 128 on dirt and 120 on the turf. A total of five races were taken off the turf due to weather last year. Average field size over the 248 races was 8.6.

Total on-track handle for the 2021 spring/summer meet was $49,343,664.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses, will open on Thursday and conclude on Monday, September 6.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

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Economic Indicators: Month-To-Month Wagering Numbers Fairly Steady In June

Equibase, LLC released its sixth monthly report of 2021 on Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing on Tuesday, July 6. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Equibase has been providing monthly economic indicators advisories. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.

The total U.S. wagering for June of 2021 was nearly even with that of June 2019, despite a 12.60 percent drop in races held. In addition, June of 2019 had five weekends of racing, while June of 2021 only had four; wagering is typically much higher on weekends than on weekdays.

Comparison to June of 2020, when racing was seriously disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, actually shows a slight decline from $998 million in 2020 to $993 million in 2021.

Year-to-date numbers for 2019 versus 2021 show that total wagering has increased by 10.67 percent, while average daily wagering is up 23.79 percent.

The first six months of 2019 showed wagering totals of $5.6 trillion, while the first six months of 2020 brought in wagering of $5.05 trillion. In 2021, the first six months have increased to show wagering totals of $6.2 trillion.

June 2021 vs. June 2020
Indicator June 2021 June 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $993,147,243 $998,331,984 -0.52%
U.S. Purses $103,624,634 $69,469,595 +49.17%
U.S. Race Days 437 300 +45.67%
U.S. Races 3,413 2,485 +37.34%
U.S. Starts 23,870 20,146 +18.49%
Average Field Size 6.99 8.11 -13.73%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,272,648 $3,327,773 -31.71%
Average Purses Per Race Day $237,127 $231,565 +2.40%
2nd QTR 2021 vs. 2nd QTR 2020
Indicator 2nd QTR 2021 2nd QTR 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,511,798,209 $2,545,997,500 +37.93%
U.S. Purses $299,952,725 $118,940,997 +152.19%
U.S. Race Days 1,115 508 +119.49%
U.S. Races 9,090 4,290 +111.89%
U.S. Starts 65,092 36,101 +80.31%
Average Field Size 7.16 8.42 -14.91%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,149,595 $5,011,806 -37.16%
Average Purses Per Race Day $269,016 $234,136 +14.90%
YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,277,894,486 $5,054,526,907 +24.20%
U.S. Purses $514,950,882 $324,168,648 +58.85%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 1,301 +44.58%
U.S. Races 15,792 10,906 +44.80%
U.S. Starts 117,303 88,074 +33.19%
Average Field Size 7.43 8.08 -8.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,337,530 $3,885,109 -14.09%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,764 $249,169 +9.87%

 

2019 Comparisons:

June 2021 vs. June 2019
Indicator June 2021 June 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $993,147,243 $990,923,384 +0.22%
U.S. Purses $103,624,634 $115,194,834 -10.04%
U.S. Race Days 437 499 -12.42%
U.S. Races 3,413 3,905 -12.60%
U.S. Starts 23,870 27,726 -13.91%
Average Field Size 6.99 7.10 -1.50%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,272,648 $1,985,818 +14.44%
Average Purses Per Race Day $237,127 $230,851 +2.72%
2nd QTR 2021 vs. 2nd QTR 2019
Indicator 2nd QTR 2021 2nd QTR 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,511,798,209 $3,137,805,499 +11.92%
U.S. Purses $299,952,725 $316,882,492 -5.34%
U.S. Race Days 1,115 1,260 -11.51%
U.S. Races 9,090 10,167 -10.59%
U.S. Starts 65,092 73,409 -11.33%
Average Field Size 7.16 7.22 -0.82%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,149,595 $2,490,322 +26.47%
Average Purses Per Race Day $269,016 $251,494 +6.97%
YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,277,894,486 $5,672,774,271 +10.67%
U.S. Purses $514,950,882 $544,002,132 -5.34%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 2,104 -10.60%
U.S. Races 15,792 17,457 -9.54%
U.S. Starts 117,303 130,239 -9.93%
Average Field Size 7.43 7.46 -0.44%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,337,530 $2,696,185 +23.79%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,764 $258,556 +5.88%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

 

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Indiana Grand Set All-Quarter Horse Card Handle Record June 5

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino recorded its highest all-sources handle during the first of six All-Quarter Horse racing programs Saturday, June 5. A total of $1,000,393 was wagered to establish a new track record. The day featured 13 races, including two stakes races and trials for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby, with the top 10 heading to the $75,000 final set for Monday, June 28.

The seventh running of the $95,900 Harley Greene Derby was a good preview of 3-year-olds in the state with Beach Blast turning in a very impressive performance in the 350-yard dash. The sorrel son of Escondido Beach broke on top and never looked back for jockey Sammy Mendez, cruising under the wire for a one and three-quarter length advantage in a time of :17.650. WH Imastreakinbeach and Jose Ruiz finished second over Jess Bringin It On and Cesar Esqueda for third.

Owned by Keith Bode and Brock Hutchinson, Beach Blast is now four for eight lifetime and increased his career bankroll over the $200,000 mark. It was one of six wins on the card for Trainer Randy Smith, Indiana Grand's leading trainer.

“That horse can run,” said Smith of Beach Blast. “He could be one of the fastest ones I've ever had. We'll probably get him ready for the Blue River (Derby) next.”

The second Quarter Horse stakes of the day was a first for both horse and jockey. Erik Esqueda guided Jess a Flyin Beach to his first stakes win in the $83,200 Born Runner Classic. Starting from post two, the duo had good positioning early and was able to take over midway through the 400-yard dash to get a nose under the wire first for the win. Beach Mercedes and Sammy Mendez finished second followed by Beach Cartel and German Rodriguez for third.

Owned and trained by Tony Cunningham, Jess a Flyin Beach earned his fourth career win and increased his career bankroll to more than $119,000. The four-year-old son of Escondido Beach was making his second start of 2021.

“He's been second or third in stakes action but never quite got his head in front at the wire,” said Cunningham. “He has a lot of class. He's had some issues over the past couple of years but was able to put it all together today. I'm happy for Erik (Esqueda) to get his first stakes win. We have a great team and can't do it without all of them.”

Earlier on the card three trials were held to determine the final field for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby. The quickest qualifier of the day was Cartel Creek from the Randy Smith barn. Owned by Debbie Smith, the three-year-old son of The Louisiana Cartel scored the win in :20.215 for jockey Jose Beltran after grabbing an early lead.

The top 10 qualifiers for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby, with jockey and times, includes: Cartel Creek (Jose Beltran, :20.215); WRs Moonin the Wagon (Sammy Mendez, :20.261); Jess Over Yonder (Natasha Fritz, :20.358); Jess Good Reason SA (Uriel Cervantes, :20.450); Paint Me Brown (Uriel Cervantes, :20.473); CC Moonflash (L.D. Martinez, :20.532); Lone Cartel (L.D. Martinez, :20.603); Apollitical Tools (Giovani Vazquez Gomez, :20.623); Shez Bodacious (Cristian Reyes, :20.638); and AA Storm the Mozoomo (Erik Esqueda, :20.655). Tony Cunningham will saddle three in the final (CC Moonflash, Lone Cartel, AA Storm the Mozoomo) while Randy Smith (Cartel Creek, WRs Moonin Thewagon), Jose Aguirre (Jess Good Reason SA, Paint Me Brown) and Tim Eggleston (Jess Over Yonder, Shez Bodacious) will all saddle two in the final.

Another first was also recorded on the day as Trainer Shawna Martin not only scored her first career training victory but scored a double on the card. Martin kicked off the day with a win from Delightful Dahlonega, ridden by Cristian Esqueda, with a win in the first race followed by a win by Easy Torero, also ridden by Cristian Esqueda, in the afternoon's sixth race. Easy Torero was a surprise winner to bettors, paying $85.80 for the win.

The next all Quarter Horse Day at Indiana Grand is set for Saturday, July 3 followed by racing Saturday, July 24, Saturday, Aug. 14, Saturday, Sept. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 9. The track will also host two regional qualifiers for the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships this fall. The John Deere Juvenile Challenge and the Q-Racing Videos Distaff Challenge trials are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4 with the finals set for Monday, Sept. 20. All Saturday Quarter Horse racing begins at 10 a.m.

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