Will Rogers Downs Concludes 2020 Thoroughbred Meet
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Racing at Will Rogers Downs
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs concluded its 2020 Thoroughbred meet with a significantly increased handle and new racing fans from around the globe, according to a June 3 news release.
"Our racing shifted steadily toward center stage this spring. I am very proud that we were able to complete our season safely," said John Lies, the racing secretary and track announcer for Will Rogers. "With tremendous teamwork and diligent protocols, we were able to provide a bright light to horsemen and horseplayers during a difficult time."
Will Rogers Downs was one of the few tracks globally to continue racing without spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the health and safety of the many horsemen who rely on the track for their livelihood. This created an international audience for the nationally broadcast facility.
More than $131 million was handled both on and off the track, an increase of 687% over the $16.8 million last year. Will Rogers Downs also surpassed its goal of 270 races and last year's total, running 287 for the Thoroughbred meet, with an average field size of 8.8 horses per race.
The series offered a total of $304,422 for the Oklahoma-bred program and more than $4 million in purses.
As anticipated, Welder, the striking gray Oklahoma-bred gelding, earned the Horse of the Meet title for a fourth time. The 7-year-old son of The Visualizer scored his fifth consecutive win in the TRAO Classic Sprint, the winnings locking him in as one of the elite racehorses to surpass the $1 million mark in earnings.
Welder's jockey, David Cabrera, was the meet's leading rider with 36 wins and a 25% win clip. Last year's leading rider, Floyd Wethey Jr., had 35 wins this year.
Trainer Robertino Diodoro was the leading trainer of the meet in a similar upheaval over Scott Young, 28-27. Diodoro also managed a 25% win rate. Trainer Karl Broberg closed the meet in third place and trains exclusively for End Zone Athletics, easily the leading owner of the meet. Horses from End Zone Athletics won 13 races and finished in the money with 70% of their starters.