Acosta, Runco repeat as champions in 2010

Jockey J.D. Acosta and trainer Jeff Runco once again topped the standings at the Charles Town Races in 2010.

Acosta collected his third straight riding title with 180 victories, 56 ahead of runner-up Gerald Almodovar. 

Runco earned his fifth straight leading trainer title by saddling 138 winners, including Researcher in the $1 million Charles Town Classic and Sea Rescue in the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders’ Classic. His $2,844,205 in earnings also established a single-season record at Charles Town.

Ronney Brown, the last trainer to finish ahead of Runco in the standings, wound up second in 2010 with 88 victories.

The West Virginia track posted gains in all-sources handle and daily all-sources handle. According to figures released by the track, all-sources handle rose 8 percent from $178,364,877 in 2009 to $193,261,837. The average daily all-sources handle was up 10 percent from $770,265 to $847,817,

Ontrack handle, however, declined 8 percent in 2010 with $14,608,567, compared with $15,889, 713 in 2009.