Delaware's average handle rises

The average all-sources handle on Delaware Park racing registered a modest increase this year.

Figures released Wednesday for the 2001 meet that concluded last Sunday showed $282,505,422 was bet on Delaware's races by ontrack and simulcast bettors. Compared with last year's $289,794,172, the total handle was down 2.5 percent. But because the track raced 139 days this season, 10 fewer than in 2000, the average daily handle rose 4.5 percent, to $2,032,413.

Apprentice jockey Jeremy Rose dethroned five-time leading rider Mike McCarthy by riding 150 winners. McCarthy finished second with 139. Harry Vega (90), Brent Bartram (84), and Anthony Black (76) rounded out the top five jockeys.

Tim Ritchey set a track record for wins with 87 and purses earned with $2.1 million to win his fifth Delaware trainers' title.

Allen Iwinski finished second with 74 winners, one fewer than he had when he set the previous track record as the leading trainer in 2000.

For the second consecutive year, owner Mike Gill led all owners by wins with 70.