Zia Park's all-sources handle soars

Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., experienced double-digit gains in handle during its 56-date mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that closed on Tuesday.

Zia handled an average $536,316 a day on its live races from all sources this meet, up 23 percent from $435,229 during the corresponding season in 2013. The average was a track record. Of the total handle amount, an average $44,691 was bet on-track, up 4.7 percent, and another $491,625 bet off-track, an increase of 25 percent over 2013.

Zia’s meet was spurred by $1.28 million in handle on its $1.1 million Land of Enchantment program of stakes Nov. 26, the second highest handle in track history.

Jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr., captured the Zia riding title with a season-record 63 wins. Trainer Justin Evans won his third consecutive Zia title with 54 wins. The leading owner with a record 26 wins was the Judge Lanier Racing operation of Tom and Sandy McKenna.