Fair Grounds shatters handle records

The 11-race Louisiana Derby Day program at Fair Grounds on Saturday shattered

all-sources handle records and the modern on-track handle mark.

A total of $11,310,990 was wagered on the card, which included the $600,000

Louisiana Derby (G2), the $500,000 New Orleans H. (G2), the $300,000 Fair

Grounds Oaks (G2) and the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial H. The four stakes,

worth $1.5 million, combined to form the richest day in Louisiana racing

history.

Other records established included all-sources handle for a single race

($2,972,213 for the Louisiana Derby) and the modern mark for on-track handle

($866,466).

"Today was everything we could have possible hoped for," Fair Grounds

President and General Manager Randall Soth said. "We had a terrific turnout,

perfect weather, and great human and equine talent for our on-track and

simulcast customers to enjoy."

The previous all-sources handle record was $9,080,419, set five years ago to

the day, when the Louisiana Derby also headlined an 11-race card. That Louisiana

Derby, won by Mighty, also was the single-race record of $2.4 million.

The current meet has now produced two of the three highest all-sources handle

figures in the track's history.

Saturday's on-track attendance was 6,672, the most for a Louisiana Derby

program in the eight-year history of the new grandstand/clubhouse facility.