Handle flat at Churchill Downs September meet
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – All-sources handle at the 11-day September meet that ended Sunday at Churchill Downs was up 1 percent over the comparable meet in 2015, according to figures released Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
Gross handle was $33,611,462, up marginally over the $33,217,607 handled last year, when 11 days also were run. Per-day handle at the 2015 meet was down nearly 7 percent from 2014, when 12 dates were held. The first year for a September meet at Churchill was 2013.
Churchill Downs Inc. does not release business figures for its tracks except for major dates.
Field size at the 2016 meet averaged 8.54, a number slightly compromised by 10 races being moved off the turf because of wet conditions. Field size averaged 7.99 in 2015 and 7.70 in 2014.
Favorites won at a 32 percent clip (35 for 109).
On the racetrack, Robby Albarado earned his first Churchill riding title since the 2008 spring meet by winning 15 races. Dale Romans was the leading trainer with six wins, marking the 14th time he has won or tied for a Churchill title, while Ken and Sarah Ramsey (three wins) were the leading owners, extending their Churchill record to 27 titles.
Racing returns to Churchill on Oct. 30 for a 21-day fall meet.