Churchill Downs concluded its 21-day meet on Saturday, the first
meet since the track’s $121 million renovation and the first since 2002 that was
not limited by construction. Gains in both on-track and total wagering were
reported as well as increases in on-track attendance. Additionally, average daily wagering
from all sources topped $8 million for the first time in Fall Meet history.
“Our Fall Meet was a success on many levels and we sincerely thank our fans,
both on-track and those around the country, our horsemen and our dedicated
Churchill Downs team for their efforts to make this a most memorable meet,”
Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton said. “The results of the Fall Meet
provide momentum and enthusiasm as our track heads into a new year and the 132nd
renewals of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).”
Total wagering on the meet rose 11.3 percent from the 21-day Fall Meet in
2004 to $182,214,993. The average total wagering jumped from $7,798,897 last
year to $8,676,904. On-track betting totaled $24,483,358 during the meet, an
increase of 6 percent from last year’s Fall session.
Attendance totaled 164,214, an average of 7,820 patrons per day. This was a
jump of 4.7 percent from 2004 and was the highest average since 2001. A
partial reason for the boost in attendance was the increase of horses per field,
which rose from 9.82 to 10.17.
Purses during the Fall Meet averaged $478,632 per day, a decrease of 3.5
percent from $495,788 offered last year.
Meet highlights included salutes to retired jockey Pat Day, who announced his
retirement prior to the meet, and legends of the Kentucky Derby, which included
jockeys, trainers and owners who have won the famed “Run for the Roses.” A new
program, “Stars of Tomorrow Day,” was introduced to the Louisville, Kentucky,
track on November 9, featuring a card made up entirely of races for
two-year-olds.
The battle for the jockey title came down to the final day of racing and
ended in a tie between Rafael Bejarano and Mark Guidry, who recorded 26 wins each. Bejarano entered Saturday on top by two wins and earned two
victories on the day. Guidry won four races on the day, including the Golden Rod
S. (G2) aboard French Park (Ecton Park) which enabled him to share the honor of top
jockey. Bejarano, who captured Spring Meet titles in 2004 and 2005, earned his
first Fall Meet award while Guidry earned his first overall leading rider title
at the track.
The leading apprentice was 16-year-old Randall Toups, who notched seven
victories in his first meet at the track.
Dale Romans saddled 16 winners over the meet to collect the Fall Meet
leading trainer award for the second time. Romans also captured the leading
trainer title earlier this spring at Churchill Downs. Steve Asmussen came in
second with 11 wins.
The honor of leading owner went to Ken and Sarah Ramsey with seven winners,
while Overbrook Farm finished second with five victories.