Delaware has drop in handle

Delaware Park ended it 2006 meet last Sunday with declines in both ontrack and offtrack handle on its live races, according to a release the track issued Friday.

The total all-sources handle on Delaware's races declined 2.9 percent for the 135-day meet this year, to a daily average of $1,691,582. Ontrack handle dropped 7.5 percent, while outside handle on Delaware races was down 2.5 percent. The track attributed the declines to fewer starters per card "due to excessive late scratches."

Ramon Dominguez, the second leading jockey in North America by wins, got his fourth straight Delaware jockey championship with 214 winners. Scott Lake, the leading trainer in North America by wins, scored his fifth consecutive Delaware training title, saddling 107 winners.