Handle down at Hollywood Park

Hollywood Park concluded its 27-day Autumn Meet on Monday with a combined

daily average handle of $8,588,871, a 4 percent decline from the average of

$8,944,323 during a 36-day meeting in 2004. On track, the average of $1,309,921

was down 0.3 percent from the figure of $1,313,553 a year ago.

Daily average handle from account wagering dropped 23.5 percent, from

$592,528 to $453,546, while daily average interstate handle declined 6.1

percent, from $3,749,690 to $3,520,084.

Daily average on-track attendance was off 14.5 percent, from 6,081 a year ago

to 5,199.

The meet, shortened by four days when turf racing was canceled November 1 due

to dissatisfaction with a newly installed grass course, operated on a four-day

race week the final month rather than the traditional five-day week. With the

elimination of turf stakes races, overnight purses were increased 15 percent at

the beginning of the meet, and an additional 5 percent -- retroactive to the

November 9 opening -- in early December. Field size remained even with 2004 with an average of 7.5 starters per race.

Jockey Martin Pedroza, who has captured seven riding titles at Fairplex Park,

won his first championship at a major race meeting by booting home 31 winners,

five more than runner-up Patrick Valenzuela.

"I don't care what anybody says about Pat (Valenzuela)," Pedroza said. "He

showed me a lot of class. Not only now, but through the whole thing. This has

just been an overwhelming experience for me. Unbelievable."

Jeff Mullins won the training crown by one, 13-12, over Doug

O'Neill and Bob Baffert.

Robert D. Bone won 14 races to become the first owner to sweep all six

Southern California meeting titles. He was never threatened after winning four

races on November 16, a feat unmatched in 66 years of racing at Hollywood Park.

Hollywood Park's Spring/Summer Meet opens April 26.