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Approaching Final Week Of Racing, Canterbury’s 2020 Handle Already $15 Million Above 2019 Record

Canterbury Park's 53-day horse racing season will conclude with 4:00 p.m. post times on Wednesday and Thursday. Each evening, 13 thoroughbred races will be run. A total of 247 horses were entered over the two programs for an average field size of 9.5, exceeding the season average of 7.2 horses per race.

The racing season, in jeopardy this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was postponed and subsequently shortened from the planned 65-days. The meet began June 10. Track officials abandoned weekend racing and shifted to a Monday through Thursday schedule where there would be less competition nationally for the wagering dollar. On-track business suffered as capacity was limited to 750 spectators, substantially below the 2019 average attendance of 6,592, however wagering handle soared due to the schedule change as horseplayers across the country bet on Canterbury's races in unprecedented numbers. Handle this season has already exceeded 2019's record $48 million, with $63.8 million bet during the first 51 days and an additional $4 to $5 million expected over the final two days.

“It was crucial to the Minnesota horse racing and breeding industry that Canterbury Park conduct a meet in 2020,” Vice President of Racing Andrew Offerman said. “The support and guidance of the Minnesota Racing Commission and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture was very helpful as we found a way to make racing a reality in the current environment. The horsemen have been very supportive throughout the summer and operated in a manner that kept all participants safe. The efforts of the Canterbury staff must also be acknowledged as they have put in long hours implementing our safety plans.”

Wednesday's program is highlighted by a $41,427 carryover in the 10% Takeout Pick 5 pool. The 50-cent base wager begins with the ninth race. Track officials anticipate the pool could swell to $250,000, far exceeding the average pool of nearly $75,000. Thursday features two $50,000 stakes races, the Tom Metzen HBPA Sprint and the Shakopee Juvenile.

Trainer Joel Berndt is on the cusp of winning his first leading trainer title at Canterbury, holding a 40 to 32 edge over 13-time champion Mac Robertson. Berndt has 28 horses entered, Robertson 17. Jockey Ry Eikleberry seeks his third riding title, he was best in 2014 and 2018, as he leads last year's top jockey Francisco Arrieta by five wins, 71 to 66. While the lead is daunting it is not insurmountable with Arrieta named on horses in all 26 races. Eikleberry has 22 mounts.

Limited seating remains available and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.canterburypark.com .

The post Approaching Final Week Of Racing, Canterbury’s 2020 Handle Already $15 Million Above 2019 Record appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Record Handle for Lone Star’s Meet

A record $2.1 million in average daily handle from off-track sources was recorded at Lone Star Park for its recently concluded Thoroughbred meet. The amount marked a 131% increase from 2019. The previous comparative high of $2 million a day was in 2002, but the Texas track did average a daily all-source handle of just over $2.2 million in 2004 when hosting the Breeders’ Cup.

“With the success of this season behind us, we are eager to keep the momentum going into next year and feel the future is bright for horse racing at Lone Star Park and in Texas,” said Kent Slabotsky, Lone Star’s vice president of operations.

Field sizes also increased by over 20%, as did purses by 34%, or up to $261,000 per day. Steve Asmussen won his 13th leading trainer title at the Texas track with 50 races won worth $1,463,385 during the season. Jockey Ramon A. Vazquez was the leading rider of the meet with 58 wins totaling $1,343,946 and Mike Sisk of M and M Racing was top owner of the meet with 29 wins worth $587,235 in earnings.

Lone Star will switch over to a season of Quarter Horse racing Friday, Sept. 4.

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Lone Star Concludes Thoroughbred Meet With Record Increase In Average Daily Handle

Lone Star Park concluded its 24th Thoroughbred Racing Season on Wednesday, August 12 with a record $2.1 Million in average daily handle from off track sources. The previous high mark was in 2002 when the average was just over $2 Million per day. The meet saw a record increase of 131% in average daily all-source handle from 2019.

Overall this season marked the highest amount handled per day since 2004, the same year Lone Star Park hosted the Breeders' Cup, with an average daily all-source handle of just over $2.2 Million.

Total Purses paid increased by $95,000 per day or 34% as part of House Bill 2463 from $166,000 per day up to $261,000 per day. This increase in purses led to an increase in field size by over 20%.

Highlights of the season included witnessing jockey Stewart Elliott, famed rider of Smarty Jones, who just missed the Triple Crown of 2004, winning his career 5,000th race here.

Meet leaders were Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen who won 50 races worth $1,463,385 during the season. As Lone Star Park's all-time leading trainer, this was his 13th season leading title here at the Grand Prairie track.

Jockey Ramon A. Vazquez was the top among the jockeys with 58 wins totaling $1,343,946 in purse money. This was his first ever season riding at Lone Star Park.

Mike Sisk of M and M Racing was top owner of the meet. His stable scored 29 wins worth a total of $587,235 in earnings.

Lone Star Park's 2020 Quarter Horse Season opens Friday, September 4 and runs through Saturday, November 28.

The post Lone Star Concludes Thoroughbred Meet With Record Increase In Average Daily Handle appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Monmouth Posts Record Handle on Haskell Day

Monmouth Park set a track record for handle for a non-Breeders’ Cup day when bettors wagered a total of $20,479,392 on Saturday’s 14-race GI TVG.com Haskell S. day card. The record handle was achieved despite restrictions for on-track attendance due to COVID-19 guidelines.

The overall handle from all sources surpassed the previous non-Breeders’ Cup record of $20,024,509 set on Haskell Day on Aug. 2, 2015.

It is only the second $20-million handle for a non-Breeders’ Cup program in Monmouth Park’s 75-year history.

Authentic (Into Mischief)’s nose victory over Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic) also extended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s record to nine Haskell victories.

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