Remington numbers down

Remington Park in Oklahoma City closed its first full season of Thoroughbred night racing last Saturday with declines in average daily attendance and handle. Late last year, the track's new owner, Magna Entertainment, installed a lighting system at Remington.

During the 59-day meet, daily attendance was 2,337, down 4 percent from last year's corresponding season, which ran 73 days. Daily handle at this meet averaged $496,352, a 9 percent drop from 2000.

Despite the decline in handle, average daily purse distribution was up 3 percent to $100,325.

Officials attributed the declining numbers in part to the slumping national economy. "The Sept. 11 attacks on America obviously had an effect on us," said Remington Park spokesman Dale Day.

Remington Park will not race again until March 16, when it puts on Quarter Horse trials for the Lazy E Futurity and Derby. The Quarter Horse meet officially begins April 5.