Handle dips, Welch wins another title

CALGARY, Alberta - Total handle for the 2003 Stampede Park meeting was $10,622,399, down 9.2 percent from the corresponding meet last year, while daily average handle was $272,369, down 2.2 percent.

The cancellation of four cards due to inclement weather resulted in just 39 racing days this spring, compared to the 42 offered in 2002.

Quincy Welch defended his riding title despite missing the first month of action due to suspension, winning 15 races in the final five days of racing to sweep by Dave Wilson for the crown.

Welch ended up with 44 victories from just 190 mounts, while Wilson had 40 wins from 250 mounts.

Red Smith's 25 wins earned him the training title, while defending champion Ron Grieves recorded a hat-trick on closing day to finish second with 23 victories.

Raylene, with Wilson up, completed a sweep of the three 3-year-old filly stakes by closing resolutely to capture the Penny Ridge on closing day. A Kentucky-bred daughter of Tabasco Cat, Raylene broke last in the field of seven and chased extremely slow fractions before rallying in deep stretch for a neck victory over Reagally Light.

An unidentified United States bettor wagered $200,000 to show on Raylene via simulcast, creating a minus show pool.