Gulfstream sets meet handle mark

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 2015-16 Gulfstream Park championship meet ended Sunday with the track reporting record all-sources handle of $807 million for the 90-day session, up 15 percent from the previous year, which had also set a record. Saturday’s 14-race Florida Derby program also shattered records, with the handle of more than $32 million setting a single-day mark since the new Gulfstream building was erected in 2006. Handle was the highest in track history for a non-Breeders’ Cup program.

“We’re extremely gratified with Gulfstream Park’s championship meet,” said P.J. Campo, Gulfstream’s general manager and vice president of The Stronach Group, which owns the track. “Starting with the Claiming Crown back in December and building on key days like Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth, Sunshine Millions, and the Donn Handicap, it seemed fitting our meet would culminate with a record Florida Derby Day. Despite an inclement December and 57 races being taken off the turf, we continued to build our racing program with incredible equine and human performances and wonderful support from horsemen throughout North America.”

Todd Pletcher and Javier Castellano successfully defended their trainer and jockey titles. Pletcher won 62 races to record an unprecedented 13th straight Gulfstream training crown, while Castellano rode 113 winners to post his fifth straight jockey title. Ken and Sarah Ramsey were the leading owners for the fourth consecutive season with 29 wins.

The spring-summer meeting opens Wednesday, with first post each day at 12:55 p.m. Eastern.