California handle up 10 percent for first half of 2018

CYPRESS, Calif. – Handle for all California horse races rose 10 percent to $1.58 billion in the first six months of the year compared to last year, the California Horse Racing Board reported Thursday.

The figures were boosted by a strong June in which handle improved 19 percent, to $269.3 million, the board said.

The data included all Thoroughbred meetings, the Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred night meeting at Los Alamitos, and harness racing in Sacramento. The gains were helped by drier conditions this year compared with a wet winter in early 2017, heightened interest in the sport surrounding Justify’s success in the Triple Crown, and additional racing days at Santa Anita.

Thoroughbred meetings showed the most significant growth, to $1,415,124,947, an increase of 11.2 percent. Racing board executive director Rick Baedeker warned that the improvements will be difficult to sustain through the year. The Breeders’ Cup races were held at Del Mar last November and boosted California’s handle figures for the year. The Breeders’ Cup will be run at Churchill Downs this fall.

Equine fatalities decline

California equine fatalities caused by racing or training injuries fell 36 percent in Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred races in the first half of 2018, according to data released at Thursday’s California Horse Racing Board meeting.

Through June 30, 44 horses had been euthanized because of injuries, compared to 69 in a similar period in 2017, Baedeker reported. There were 21 cases of horses fatally injured in races, a decline of 46 percent from 39 in 2017, and 12 lost in training incidents, compared to 18 last year.

Baedeker said enhanced safety protocols, including frequent inspections by state and track veterinarians of horses returning from lengthy layoffs, and ongoing pre-race examinations, played roles in the decline.

For the upcoming Del Mar summer meeting that begins Wednesday, the racing board will have an official veterinarian inspecting horses on a daily basis and as many as three official and track veterinarians inspecting horses each morning on race days.

Los Alamitos stakes schedule

Los Alamitos will run four stakes worth $350,000 at the 12-day Los Angeles County Fair meeting from Sept. 6-23.

The richest races are two $100,000 stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs restricted to horse offered at a Barretts Sale – the Barretts Debutante for 2-year-old fillies on Sept. 15, and the Barretts Juvenile for colts and geldings on Sept. 22.

The Sept. 8 program will have two $75,000 races – the Beverly Lewis for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs, and the E.B. Johnston Stakes for California-bred milers.

Los Alamitos concludes its summer meeting with a nine-race program Sunday.