Florida Derby Day sets handle record at Gulfstream
Gulfstream Park set an all-time Florida Derby Day handle
record Saturday when $26.8 million was wagered on the live program highlighted
by the 63rd edition of the Grade 1 event.
The $26.8 million topped the previous mark set in 2013 of
$24.6 million, representing a 8.96 percent increase.
The Florida Derby Day handle has increased year-to-year
since 2011.
The record handle in Gulfstream’s old building was $24.4
million in March of 2001. The building was torn down in 2004 to make way for the
current state-of-the-art facility.
Crowds witnessed another memorable afternoon of
Thoroughbred racing Saturday as well as an exciting stretch duel in the $1
million Florida Derby that resulted in a neck victory by
Constitution over Fountain of Youth winner Wildcat Red.
The victory aboard Constitution was the first Florida Derby
win for three-time leading rider Javier Castellano and the second for trainer
Todd Pletcher, who will win an unprecedented 11th consecutive training title at
Gulfstream.
Gulfstream, which ends its Champion’s Meet for statistical purposes April 6,
continues to experiment to make the fans’ experience the best it can possibly
be. Officials decided to make Saturday’s Florida Derby the last race on its
program. Earlier this year it agreed to run the Donn Handicap as the last race on a Sunday program.
“We want to thank our fans and guests for making the 2014 Florida Derby so
memorable,” Gulfstream President Tim Ritvo said. “We also want
to thank the horsemen for putting on such a memorable afternoon of racing, the
jockeys who continue to build goodwill with our fans, and the staff here at
Gulfstream. Some of our employees parked as far as two miles off site and were
shuttled in.
“We also continue to try new things at Gulfstream. We
carded the Florida Derby and the Donn Handicap earlier this year as our last
races, and ran the Donn on a Sunday. Because of our incredible facility, and
because of all the entertainment, dining and shopping options, we feel we can
offer our fans and guests and entire afternoon and evening of entertainment
options.
“Our Chairman, Frank Stronach, has a vision to make
Thoroughbred racing a sporting and entertainment experience that can be enjoyed
by the entire family.
We continue to see his vision become a reality. As always,
we will gain valuable feedback the next several weeks from horsemen and fans
about their experience at Gulfstream, and continue building the sport of
Thoroughbred racing as we embark on our summer racing season.”
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