Turfway average handle up a tad

Daily averages at the 2008 holiday meet that ended Wednesday at Turfway Park were up slightly over corresponding numbers from the previous year, although gross figures were down substantially because of fewer racing dates.

Officials at the Florence, Ky., track reported that average all-sources wagering on the 21-day holiday meet was $2,775,799, up nearly 2 percent over average handle in 2007, when 27 dates were run. The difference in dates was due to a calendar shift and other factors. The 2007 Holiday meet's average daily all-sources handle of $2.73 million was down 22 percent from the average daily handle of $3.5 million recorded in 2006.

Ontrack handle averaged $127,992 per card, up slightly from $127,620 last year.

Gross wagering from all sources at the meet, which began Nov. 30, was $58.2 million, down nearly 21 percent, while ontrack wagering was almost $2.7 million, down 22 percent.

Tommy Pompell was the leading jockey with 20 wins, Mike Maker the top trainer with 12, and Ken and Sarah Ramsey the leading owners with eight.