Fort Erie meet ends with handle down

Fort Erie racetrack closed its doors for the 2010 season on Tuesday after a 78-day meet that began May 1. The average daily handle from all sources for the 2010 Fort Erie season was $633,100, compared with $721,221 last year, a 12 percent drop. Ontrack wagering on Fort Erie's races increased fractionally, according to the track.

Krista Carignan won the jockey title with 93 wins, far ahead of all challengers. Trainer Nick Gonzalez easily won leading trainer honors with 45 wins for the season. Brian Cheyne was the leading apprentice rider with 42 wins, while honors for leading owner for the year ended in a tie between Sharon Simms and Herbert Chambers, both with 12 wins.

The 114th season at Fort Erie will begin next year on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 7. A similar 78-day schedule is planned for 2011. There will be twilight racing on Mondays and Tuesdays in June, July, and August, with a first post of 4 p.m.