Tampa sets another record

All-sources handle on the races from Tampa Bay Downs during the 94-day meet that ended Sunday averaged $4,104,124 a day, up 5.29 percent compared with last year's average and a record for the track.

It was the fifth straight year that the Oldsmar, Fla., track had ended its meet with a record average handle. Total handle for the year was $385,787,682, an increase of more than $20 million over the total from last year.

Tampa posted the growth despite a significant decline in the average field size, which fell from 9.57 horses per race during the previous meet to 8.85 horses.

Attendance declined slightly, from 3,501 to 3,437, the second straight year that it has fallen. Ontrack handle fell 1.7 percent, from $321,202 a day to $315,605 a day.

Average daily purses were $160,673, a record and an increase of 1.4 percent over purse distribution last year.

On the track, Daniel Centeno took the riding title with a record 125 wins. Jamie Ness won the training title with 38 wins from 120 starts. and Montesano Racing took the owner's title with 17 wins.