Handle at fall meet declines slightly

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – All-sources handle at the Churchill Downs fall meet that ended Sunday was down slightly from the corresponding meet in 2015, according to figures released Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Gross handle this fall was $100,750,712, down nearly 4 percent from the 2015 fall meet, where $104.6 million was wagered. Both meets encompassed 21 days. Per-day wagering at the 2016 meet averaged nearly $4.8 million.

The 2015 meet was up 10 percent in gross all-sources handle and nearly 26 percent in daily average handle in comparison with the 2014 meet, where 24 dates were run.

Ontrack handle at the 2016 meet grossed $8,332,498, down 1 percent from last year. The per-day average was almost $400,000.

On the racetrack, Corey Lanerie was the leading jockey with 31 wins. Mike Maker led all trainers with 16 wins, while one of his top clients, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, led all owners with 6 wins.

Field size averaged 9.04 horses per race, down slightly from last fall (9.40). Favorites won 89 of 221 races (40 percent).