Keeneland’s inaugural Polytrack meet proved successful with record numbers
for handle and attendance. Though final handle figures are not yet confirmed,
total all-sources wagering for the 17-day meet, including on-track, off-track
and whole card conducted at Keeneland, will exceed $140 million, a new fall meet
record. The previous high of $126,036,538 was recorded during the 17-day meet in
2003. Last fall, wagering from all sources totaled $124,980,810.
The new Polytrack surface had a very positive effect at the entry box, as
field size for the fall meet averaged 10.02 starters per race.
On-track attendance for the fall meet totaled a record 233,218, surpassing
the previous record of 232,499 set in 2003. A single fall meet attendance record
of 28,880 was set on October 7, eclipsing the previous mark of 28,788 set on
October 14, 1989.
“This meet has been extraordinary for us in so many ways,” said Nick
Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland. “While we are proud of the many
records that were set, we are even more proud of how well the Polytrack surface
performed. It remained very safe throughout the meet, despite getting more than
twice the usual amount of rainfall during the month.”
Frenchmen led the way in the trainer and jockey standings. Patrick Biancone,
who finished with 11 wins from 38 starts, won his first Keeneland training
title, and his go-to jockey, Julien Leparoux, led all riders with 30 victories.
It was the second consecutive riding title at Keeneland for Leparoux, who
shared top honors last spring with Rafael Bejarano.
G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and partners won a second fall meet leading owner title
with six wins. Humphrey, who also won the fall meet title in 2004, has been the
leading owner four times overall.