Remington all-sources handle declines 8 percent
Remington Park in Oklahoma City achieved its highest handle day since 1999 during the 67-date meet that closed last Sunday, but it was not enough to keep the track from experiencing a decline in handle for the first time since 2012.
Oklahoma Derby Day was a hit Sept. 25, when $2.3 million was wagered on the program that featured 10 stakes. But handle on the track’s live races from all-sources this meet dropped 8 percent from the corresponding meet last year, to an average of $855,709 a program. The track reported that handle on its races off-track fell 7 percent (averaging $798,012 a program), and on-track, 13 percent.
“While not pleased with the overall handle results for the season, Remington Park did achieve positive gains with our large programs of stakes racing,” Matt Vance, the track’s vice president of operations, said in a press release. “Oklahoma Derby Day was our biggest handle day since 1999 with over $2.3 million wagered on our races. The Springboard Mile card and the Oklahoma Classics Night both continue to be popular on-track and across North America.”
Purses at the meet averaged $236,643 a program, with the total distribution of $15.8 million down 6 percent from the $16.8 million during the 67-date meet in 2015. The average field size also fell, from 9 horses to 8.4.
Danny Caldwell won a record eighth Remington owner title on Sunday, with 50 wins from 173 starts. His stable earned $862,830, which also topped all owners. Caldwell broke his own season record for wins at Remington.
Steve Asmussen led all trainers in wins, with 63 from 312 starts, and stable earnings, with $1.1 million. It was the 12th training title at Remington for Asmussen, a trainer record he now shares with Donnie Von Hemel.
Ramon Vazquez won the riding title with 83 wins from 371 starts. He also topped all riders in mount earnings with $1.7 million. Last year, Vazquez finished in a tie for leading rider with C.J. McMahon.
Remington will open a Quarter Horse meet March 10, while Thoroughbred racing returns Aug. 25.