Retama handle, attendance dip

Retama Park near San Antonio reported declines in attendance and handle during its 51-night meet that closed Saturday.

Attendance averaged 2,276 a night this season, down from last year's draw of 3,192. Handle on the track's live races averaged $1,166,781 a card compared to $1,207,880 in 2001.

Retama recorded its best handle of the meet Saturday night when $1.5 million was wagered on a 13-race program. Attendance was 4,082.

Danny Pish won 46 races from 197 starts to lock up his fourth straight training title at the track. His stable earnings were $432,941. The leading jockey was Roman Chapa, who won his fourth title at the track, winning 72 races this meet from 309 mounts for earnings of $618,406.

Retama will open for a Quarter Horse meet May 2.