Indiana Derby draws record handle

ANDERSON, Ind. - Wagering on last Saturday's Indiana Derby card set a record with $2,162,212 bet on the 12-race card. That easily eclipsed both the previous Derby night high of $1,632,474 in 2000 and Hoosier's all-time high of $2,107,487 set Nov. 9, 2001. The Derby itself brought $346,528 in handle.

Ontrack attendance was down considerably, with 5,837 turning out to witness Jon Court collect his second straight Indiana Derby victory. Court, who won aboard Excessivepleasure, guided Perfect Drift to victory in 2002 before 6,852 fans. The race hit its high mark in 2000 when 10,827 were in attendance to see Mister Deville's victory.

Robby Albarado collected his second Indiana Oaks victory on Friday night, aboard Awesome Humor, joining Eddie Martin Jr. as multiple winners of the Oaks. Albarado was aboard Scoop for her victory in 2001. Albarado is also a multiple winner of the Derby, having won in 1998 with One Bold Stroke and in 2001 with Orientate.

Gearbox set a new stakes record with his five-length win in the Hillsdale Stakes on the Derby undercard. Gearbox, owned by David Pate, covered the five 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.25, beating the 1:05.60 set by Pemaquid Point in the race's inaugural running in 2001.