Stockton Fair has record handle

STOCKTON, Calif. - The San Joaquin County Fair set a handle record with $16.95 million wagered during the 10-day meet that ended June 22. The total includes $1.6 million in advance deposit wagering. The fair's previous record was $15.4 million in 2000.

Included in the final total was $2.29 million wagered ontrack, a 1 percent increase from 2002. Ontrack attendance also increased 1 percent with an average of 4,508 fans per day.

Field size was up for the 2003 meet, averaging 8.3 horses per race.