Handle up at Turfway Park

Turfway Park concluded its 2005 Holiday Meet on Saturday with significant

handle increases over the same period in 2004.

All-sources handle was $74,332,516, a 37.7 percent increase from a year ago.

The increase was fueled by out-of-state handle of $66,059,019, a 41.2 percent

increase over 2004, and on-track wagering of $3,237,724, a 21.8 percent

improvement. The Northern Kentucky track presented 247 races over 24 days,

compared to 225 races over 22 days in 2004.

Track officials attributed the upsurge to fuller, more competitive fields,

helped in part by the closing of the Fair Grounds stable area in the wake of

Hurricane Katrina. Turfway filled more allowance races than in the past, another

factor in the increased competitiveness of its races. Average field size was

10.4 horses per race, compared to 9.9 last year. Average daily purses increased

6.1 percent to $141,078, with overall purse money rising 15.7 percent to

$3,385,870.

"We could not be more thrilled with our Holiday Meet results," Turfway Park

President Robert N. Elliston said. "This was our second meet with Polytrack and

all of our customers responded. Horsemen supported the entry box, which resulted

in strong, competitive fields. Handicappers on track and across the country

responded to our racing product. Strong fields, competing on a fair racing

surface, produced outstanding results."

On-track handle on Turfway's races across all three 2005 meets rose 4.5

percent. All-sources handle for 2005 fell less than 1 percent.

Jesus Castanon captured his first Turfway jockey title with 27 wins from 129

mounts. Willie Martinez, who holds the most Turfway riding titles with nine,

finished second with 26 victories from 140 mounts.

Joe Cain finished atop the trainer standings for the first time with 8

winners from 35 starters. Greg Foley, Bill "Buff" Bradley and Rebecca Maker

finished in a three-way tie for second with seven winners each.

Everest Stables, Donamire Farm, AFM Stables, and Jackie Christenson ended in

a four-way tie for leading owner honors with three winners each.

The Turfway Park Winter/Spring Meet, which began New Year's Day, runs through

April 6.