Hoosier Park

ANDERSON, Ind. - Wagering throughout the country on Hoosier Park's signal has been strong this year, and the track has surpassed the $1 million mark in average daily handle.

Through Monday's racing, daily combined total handle averaged $1,005,586 through 31 days of racing.

For the same period last year, the track averaged $937,660 through 29 days of racing. The figures also reflect the Sept. 5 cancellation after the fifth race, which effectively cut the wagering in half for that day.

Average ontrack attendance has dropped from 1,638 a year ago to 1,215 this year. A large portion of the average was skewed by the Indiana Derby where more than 10,000 fans turned out in 2000, as opposed slightly more than 6,000 for this year's edition.

Defending riding champ Terry Thompson, boosted by a record-equaling six wins on Saturday night, owns a 49-27 edge over Cindy Noll in the rider standings. Jamie Theriot and Rodney Prescott are close behind with 26 and 23 wins, respectively. Stanley Roberts leads the trainers with 19 wins, and Gary Patrick is second with 12.