Daily handle dips a bit at holiday meet
All-sources daily wagering was down slightly at the Turfway holiday meet that ended last Saturday night, according to figures released by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
Per-day wagering averaged $1,583,827 during the 20-day meet, which began Nov. 30. That was down 3.6 percent from the $1,642,549 averaged during a 15-day holiday meet in December 2015.
However, because of the five additional racing dates, the gross handle of nearly $31.7 million was up 29 percent over the corresponding 2015 dates, when gross handle was $24.6 million.
On the racetrack, Abel Lezcano was the leading jockey with 21 winners, four more than runner-up Jack Gilligan. Mike Maker was the leading trainer with 12 wins, three more than runner-up Wesley Ward. Ken and Sarah Ramsey – who campaign horses with both Maker and Ward – topped the owner standings with seven wins.
Racing action moved seamlessly at Turfway from Saturday night into Sunday afternoon with the start of the three-month winter-spring meet on New Year’s Day. Mostly for record-keeping purposes, the turn of the calendar requires separate race meets.