Saratoga concludes successful meet

Saratoga concluded its 138th season of racing on Labor Day with the nation's

top averages in daily attendance, purses, on-track wagering and all-sources

wagering.

"It was a very successful season in every category," NYRA President and CEO

Charlie Hayward said. "The quality of racing was sensational, worthy of

Saratoga's high standard, and we had the opportunity to see many of the best

horses in the world compete in our major races. Once again, the Saratoga Race

Course meeting lived up to its reputation as the finest and most popular in

North America."

The New York

Racing Association reported the Saratoga meet showed a slight increase in

average daily attendance.

On-track wagering was down less than 1 percent compared to last year,

averaging $3.23 million per day. All sources daily average handle increased 4.9

percent, from $14.946 million to $15.682 million.

For the second time in history, purse distribution topped the $23 million

mark, averaging a new record of $676,437 to lead all racetracks in North

America.

Average field size increased from 8.10 horses per race to 8.51 this year.

There was a record 124 turf races this season, surpassing the previous mark of 121

set in 2005.

Twilight racing proved popular on Friday, September 1, with a 29 percent

increase in attendance to 17,993 and on-track wagering soaring 19 percent to

$2,962,568.

With the lure of a free sports bag, a turnstile count of 70,603 was recorded

on August 13. It marked the fourth time in the last four years that a Saratoga

premium giveaway topped the 70,000 mark in single-day attendance.

Todd Pletcher won his fifth consecutive training title, and his sixth overall

in the last eight years, by saddling 24 winners from 116 starters. He won nine

graded stakes races and four Grade 1 events, including Monday's Hopeful S. (G1)

with Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch).

Edgar Prado earned his second straight riding crown, and third overall, by

winning 46 races from 216 mounts. Garrett Gomez finished second in his first

full season at the Spa with 42 victories from 191 mounts.

Darley Stable was the leading owner with a record of 37-7-7-6 and $1,431,164

in earnings.