Handle rises 4 percent at 2022 Emerald Downs meet

The total handle of $67,686,501 at the recently concluded Emerald Downs meet was up 4 percent compared to last year. The average daily handle of $1,301,663 was down 2 percent from the previous year but was up 15 percent from pre-COVID in 2019. Part of the reason for the increase in total handle was a 32 percent rise in ontrack wagering at the Auburn, Wash., track.

“We are pretty happy with how the meet went,” said Phil Ziegler, Emerald’s president. “A big positive is that we gave out more than $7 million in purses, which was an increase of 26.5 percent over last year.”

The total purse money paid over the 52 days of racing that began May 15 was $7,133,089.

“It was the first year since COVID that it felt normal to be at the track,” Ziegler said. “We saw people we had not seen for a while and families having a good time again. It was fun to see the smiles back. Last year we opened up somewhat but we had restricted areas and people had to wear masks at the end of the season. It was a huge difference this year.”

Alex Cruz was the leading jockey for the third straight year. Rocco Bowen is the only other rider to win three consecutive titles. Kevin Radke was the leader in stakes wins with five.

Jose Rosales captured his first trainer’s title. With six stakes wins, Blaine Wright was the leading trainer in stakes victories for the fourth time in the last six years.

John Parker was the leading owner for the fifth time in seven years.

The Tom Wenzel-trained Slew’s Tiz Whiz was named horse of the meeting, mostly due to his victory over Papa’s Golden Boy in the $125,000 Longacres Mile. The Mile is the most prestigious race on the West Coast north of California.