Turfway's handle rises

Turfway Park has reported moderate gains in gross all-sources and ontrack handle at the winter-spring meet that began Jan. 1 and ended Sunday.

All-sources handle totaled just over $95 million, an increase of more than 3 percent over comparable 2010 dates, while ontrack wagering grossed over $5.6 million, an increase of 6 percent. The per-day all-sources average of $2,021,570 on 47 programs was down less than 1 percent from last year, when only 45 cards were held, while the average ontrack handle of $120,162 was up 2 percent.

Fields averaged 8.5 starters per race, down marginally from last year. The Florence, Ky., track canceled just one full card and one partial card because of weather.

Purse payouts were not immediately available, and Turfway does not release attendance figures because of free admission.

Starting in February, Turfway raced at nights on Saturdays in a change from the traditional daytime cards (except for its signature date, Vinery Racing Spiral Day). The track’s president, Bob Elliston, said in a Monday release that the track is “still evaluating the overall impact” of the switch.

On the racetrack, the leading owners were Billy, Donna, and Justin Hays, with 18 wins. Mike Maker dominated the trainer standings with 35 wins, including four in stakes, while Ben Creed was the leading jockey with 62 wins.

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