Emerald Downs handle up

Emerald Downs concluded its 10th season on Sunday with strong gains in handle and purse distribution.

On its live races, Emerald's all-sources average daily handle for its 101-day stand increased 16.5 percent, to $799,367, from its 90-day meet in 2004. Including wagers on imported simulcasts, the track recorded a total average daily handle of $1,380,732, up 11.2 percent from last year's average of $1,228,940.

Purses increased accordingly, with a record total purse distribution of $10,809,929, up 25.3 percent from last year. The average daily purse distribution of $107,029 was up 10.5 percent.

The track's president, Ron Crockett, said the track even eked out its first small profit in 2005.

"It's not a big number, but we are in the black, and that is a very positive development," Crockett said.

Kevin Krigger captured his initial Emerald riding title with 126 wins, while Tim McCanna won his sixth training title by a 54-53 margin over last year's champion, Frank Lucarelli.

No Giveaway, winner of the Governor's Handicap and the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, was named horse of the meeting.