Remington handle down

Remington Park handled an average of $659,021 a day on its races during its 69-date meet that closed Dec. 1, a 24 percent decline from the corresponding meet in 2006.

Last year, the track's handle jumped 58 percent from the 2005 average daily handle of $549,701.

The decline this year stemmed primarily from a drop in handle on Remington's races offtrack, which averaged $580,650 a card, down 27 percent from 2006.

Ontrack, handle on Remington's races remained even with last year, averaging $78,371 a card. Betting on imported simulcasts was up 16 percent, to an average $92,138 a day. Purses during the meet averaged $185,499, up 4 percent from 2006.

"By changing our race days to Thursday through Sunday, we knew we'd gain in ontrack handle and lose some simulcast export handle," said Scott Wells, general manager of Remington.

Remington had raced Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday in 2006, but changed its schedule in a move that officials said proved profitable ontrack, in such areas as group sales and concessions. Remington has operated a casino since November 2005.

Cliff Berry won his 12th riding title with 87 wins. Steve Asmussen was the leading trainer with 48 wins. Gary Owens and Heflin Driver Racing shared the owner title with 12 wins each. It was the fifth straight title for Owens. The horse of the meet was the Oklahoma Derby winner, Going Ballistic.