Turfway Park handle dips

Overall business was down nearly 9 percent at the Turfway Park fall meet that ended Thursday night, while ontrack business was up by about 6 percent at the Florence, Ky., track.

All-sources wagering on live races at the 22-day meet was nearly $53.4 million, for an average of about $2.4 million daily. Turfway's president, Bob Elliston, attributed the decline to "ongoing difficulties in the account-wagering market that excluded key providers who offered our races in 2006."

Elliston added that competition with the new Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., where purses averaged about $500,000, also contributed to the slide.

Ontrack handle grossed more than $3.2 million, for an average of about $147,000 per card. Turfway does not charge admission nor release attendance figures. Field size averaged nine starters per race.

On the racetrack, 16-year-old apprentice Dylan Williams was the leading rider with 27 wins, while veteran Eddie Kenneally won his first training title with seven winners.

The meet was highlighted by the 14th annual Kentucky Cup series on Sept. 29, with Hard Spun defeating Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in the anchor race, the Kentucky Cup Classic.