Louisiana Downs: Average daily handle slightly up

Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., closed out its 84-date meet Sept. 22 with an average daily handle almost identical to the corresponding season a year ago, according to figures provided by the track. Louisiana Downs this meet handled an average $1,237,185 a day on its live races, up 1 percent from $1,228,265 in 2012.

Of the total live handle amount, an average $1,134,407 a day was bet on the track’s races off-site and another $102,778 a day ontrack. At the same meet a year ago, handle offsite averaged $1,119,836 a day, and ontrack, $108,430 a day.

Purses for the meet averaged $146,937 a card, compared with $152,502 in 2012.

Jockey Richard Eramia won his third Louisiana Downs title with 125 wins from 555 starts. He also led all riders in mount earnings, with $2,030,105. Eramia finished 25 wins clear of second-leading rider Don Simington.

Joey Foster won his first career training title at the meet, with 42 wins from 225 starters. His starters earned $540,475, second to trainer Al Stall Jr., whose runners earned $569,300. Stall won the richest race of the meet with Departing, in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby on Sept. 7.

End Zone Athletics was the leading owner with 14 wins from 49 starts. The stable earned $175,045.