Gulfstream Park recorded across-the-board revenue increases in all facets of
its operations at its 2009 meeting, which concluded Thursday.
“Our thanks go to the horsemen and the jockeys, and mostly to our guests and
our employees for a sensational meeting,” Gulfstream Park President and General
Manager Bill Murphy said. “We were lucky with the weather, no doubt about that,
but you have the strong sense that our longtime guests have regained their
familiarity and comfort level with the property.”
Murphy said the five-day-a-week racing program was a major factor toward the
meet’s success.
“Racing five days a week led to an automatic increase in field size, and
bigger fields attract interest and lead to higher handle,” he said.
In previous years, racing was generally conducted six days a week during the
months of February and March. Mondays were dropped throughout the 2009 meet.
Overall handle for the 79-day meet, which opened January 3, came in at
$660,745,153, an increase of 3.69 percent from last year’s $637,202,590 total,
conducted over 87 racing days. On-track handle for 2009 was $42,270,739, a 6.71
percent increase over last year’s $39,613,200 total.
Admission is free at Gulfstream Park, leaving attendance an estimation. For
2009 it was estimated at 317,782, an increase of 8.49 percent over last year’s
estimate of 292,918.
Todd Pletcher wore down Ken McPeek in a spirited duel to gain his sixth
consecutive Gulfstream Park trainers’ title and Jose Lezcano, who during the
meet recorded his 1,000th career victory, took his first riding championship at
Gulfstream Park. Pletcher had 37 winners during the meet while Lezcano recorded
67 victories, including the final winner of the meet Sydney Road (Repent), who
paid $61.80.
“It’s a beautiful way to finish the season here, especially with such a long
shot,” said the native Panamanian, three days after his 24th birthday.