Keeneland averages dip

Business was down marginally at the 16-day spring meet that ended April 26 at Keeneland Race Course.

Aggregate all-sources handle set an all-time high, but the average daily handle of $8,478,506 was 2 percent below last spring, when 15 programs were conducted.

Likewise, aggregate ontrack attendance exceeded last spring's, but the average of 14,222 was down 3 percent.

Ontrack handle, which includes imported simulcasts, narrowly exceeded last spring's record average by going just over $1.7 million daily.

The track gave away purses averaging $625,270, according to figures released Wednesday. Last spring's daily purse average was $646,500.

With 26 wins, Robby Albarado was the leading jockey for the first time at Kentucky track. D. Wayne Lukas (10 wins) was leading trainer for the 13th time win at Keeneland, while Sam-Son Farm tied Ken and Sarah Ramsey for leading owner with seven wins each.