Prairie Meadows handle up ontrack, down overall

Prairie Meadows’ Thoroughbred meet finished with a 5.7 percent increase in average ontrack wagering, but had a 2.7 decline in total betting because of a decrease in wagering from simulcast outlets.

The 66-day season that ended Saturday averaged $57,403 in betting per day from fans at the track, up from $54,321 in 2010. Simulcast wagering on Prairie Meadows’ races dropped 3.6 percent, though, to $491,200 per day. That resulted in overall betting of $548,603 per day, down from the 2010 average of $563,786

“I think we had a lot of positive things this year,” said Derron Heldt, Prairie Meadows’ director of racing. “We had some tough weather, first with the rain and then the heat, so I’m happy with everything. It’s been a real solid meet.”

The meet saw records set for victories by a jockey and trainer.

Terry Thompson claimed his eighth Prairie Meadows riding title since 2000 by winning 97 races, breaking his own 2002 record of 94 wins. He won 25.8 percent of his races, another Prairie Meadows record. And with $2,058,869 in earnings, he became the first rider to top $2 million at a Prairie Meadows meet.

Trainer Chris Richard won 65 races to better Dick Clark’s 2006 total of 64 wins.

Maggi Moss, Richard’s biggest client, won 38 races to win the leading owner title for the ninth straight year.

Another Thoroughbred meet record was set by jockey Glenn Corbett, with 10 stakes victories.

Prairie Meadows’ racing schedule resumes Aug. 19 with the start of its 26-day Quarter Horse season.