Numbers up at Bay Meadows

Bay Meadows's 71-day spring meet from Feb. 2 through May 8 showed increases in attendance and ontrack wagering over similar dates last year, which were run at both Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows. During the same 71-day period last year, Bay Meadows ran for 24 days and Golden Gate for 47 days.

Ontrack wagering this year was $52,404,201, a 4.1 percent increase over the $50,348,964 bet for the same period at Golden Gate and Bay Meadows in 2004. Attendance was up 3.7 percent, to 2,882 per day.

Wagering at offtrack sites in northern California increased 3.8 percent, from $115,860,102 to $120,208,252. Out-of-state betting on Bay Meadows races declined 4.5 percent, from $128,676,252 to $122,870,171. All-sources handle, including simulcasts, increased 0.2 percent, from $294,885,318 to $295,482,624.

The perennial trainer and jockey champions, Jerry Hollendorfer and Russell Baze, each won another title. Hollendorfer won his 30th straight Bay Meadows training title with 71 victories from 268 starters, 22 wins more than runner-up Art Sherman, who saddled 152 horses. John Martin was third with 38 winners.

Baze won his 33rd Bay Meadows riding crown with 119 victories from 393 mounts. Roberto Gonzalez and Frank Alvarado tied for second with 61 victories apiece.