On-track handle rose 2.1 percent to $6,793,059 during Turfway Park’s Fall
Meet, which closed Thursday. The meet featured the U.S. racing debut of the
Polytrack surface, which received plenty of praise from the horsemen, jockey and
track officials.
“We could not be more pleased with the positive reaction we have received
from the horsemen, jockeys and patrons throughout this Fall Meet,” said Robert
Elliston, Turfway’s president and CEO. “Horsemen and jockeys alike have told us
how pleased they have been with the fairness of the racing surface. Couple that
with (Polytrack creator) Martin Collins’ assessment that the track will only get
better with time, and we are very excited to go racing again come November 27.”
The meet got off to a slow start, as horsemen withheld entries over concerns
about new state medication rules. Entries picked up as the meet continued,
ending with an average field size of 8.7, compared to an average 8.5 entries per
race during last year’s meet.
The all-sources handle on Turfway races fell 11.8 percent to $47,379,056,
resulting mainly from the first five days of the meet. The Kentucky Cup Day of
Champions saw an increase of 19 percent while all-sources wagering on Turfway
races rose 5 percent that day.
Apprentice jockey Dane Kobiskie recorded 20 wins during the meet to take the
jockey title, with Jesus Castanon just one win behind. D. Wayne Lukas saddled
eight winners to earn his 11th Turfway training title. Conditioner David Carroll had five horses visit the winner’s
circle to take second in the standings.
Six owners tied for the owner’s title with three wins each — Silverton Hill
LLC; Nancy and Richard Kaster; Arthur B. Hancock III; Herman Van Den Broeck;
Stan Fulton; and Joseph F. Schrage.
Turfway’s Winter/Spring meet will run from November 27 through early April,
2006.