Handle and purses spike at Albuquerque

The Downs at Albuquerque reported double-digit increases in average daily handle and average daily purses during its 2015 season, which is for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses and wrapped up Sept. 27. The track raced 55 days this year, divided between a spring season, from April 17 through June 18, and a fall season, Sept. 11-27.

Handle on Albuquerque’s live races averaged $209,338 a program, an increase of 39 percent over $150,641 in 2014. Purses averaged $176,940 a program, up 18 percent from $149,879 in 2014.

The fall meet drew Quarter Horse world champion Jrc Callas First, who won the inaugural $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship on Sept. 27. On the same program, Stormin The Jewels won the meet’s richest race, the $205,185 Camino Real Thoroughbred Futurity for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

“We’d like to continue our momentum by bringing all of our big races back next year,” Don Cook, director of racing for Albuquerque, said in a release issued Tuesday.

Cook said Albuquerque is now beginning renovation of its grandstand. There will be a new entrance on the south end, a larger saddling paddock and winner's circle area, and a restructured apron.

“We’re giving our paddock area a more park-like atmosphere,” Cook said. “And, we feel that removing the glass from the grandstand and raising the apron so that it’s eye-level with the track will improve the sightlines for our fans.”