SunRay Park reports double-digit gains in handle

SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M., has reported double-digit gains in handle during its 39-date mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that closed June 22. In addition, average daily purses were up 4 percent during the meet, according to figures provided by racing officials.

SunRay handled an average of $140,000 a day on its races from all sources this meet, up from $95,000 during the same meet a year ago. Total handle for the meet approached $5.5 million, up 46 percent from $2 million in 2013.

“We were very pleased with the response to our all-Thoroughbred Tuesday programs with two guaranteed pick four pools,” said Lonnie Barber, director of racing operations for SunRay. “Those days readily attracted out-of-state dollars.”

SunRay’s handle at offtrack sites was up 52 percent over the same meet a year ago, according to a release from the track.

Purses averaged $121,000 a program, up from $116,000 a year ago, according to information provided by the track’s racing department.

SunRay opened in mid-April. The meet’s leading trainer again was Justin Evans, who currently ranks as the third-leading trainer in wins in North America. He won 42 races from 140 starters for stable earnings of $402,140, according to Equibase. The meet’s leading rider was Elvin Gonzalez, who won 48 races from 144 starts for mount earnings of $435,474.