Oaklawn sees solid attendance, handle for opening weekend

Oaklawn drew an estimated ontrack crowd of 13,000 for its season opener Friday, while handle on the track’s 10 races from all sources was more than $7.1 million.

The crowd for Saturday was an estimated 15,500, while handle on the 10-race program was more than $6.1 million from all sources, according to figures released by the track.

The claiming game is underway, with 11 horses haltered over the first two dates for more than $192,000 in transactions between stables.

Jockeys Cristian Torres and Ramon Vazquez are tied atop the standings with three wins each over opening weekend. Vazquez swept both stakes offered, the Advent and Ring the Bell.

The trainer ranks feature a four-way tie atop the standings with two wins each for Genaro Garcia, Randy Morse, John Ortiz and Matt Williams.

Racing resumes Friday.

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