Retama has solid winter

Retama Park near San Antonio reported solid handle figures during its first winter Thoroughbred meet, 43 nights added to the track s calendar after Sam Houston Race Park in Houston canceled its meet because of damage from Hurricane Ike late last summer.

Retama handled an average $984,355 a night on its live races from all sources, with $55,287 of that bet ontrack. During the 35-night fall meet that immediately preceded the winter season, Retama handled an average $690,016 a night on its live races from all sources.

Attendance at the winter meet averaged 1,753 patrons nightly.

Danny Pish won his 11th training title at Retama, with 30 wins from 175 starts for stable earnings of $333,547. The leading rider for the third straight Retama meet was Eguard Tejera, whose mounts won 64 of 243 races and $591,458. The leading owner was Anjo Stable.

Midnight Explosion, 5 for 5 at the winter meet, was named horse of the meet. Ralph Arnold trains Midnight Explosion for C.W. Daniels. Retama s next Thoroughbred meet opens in August.