Oaklawn Ends With Handle Gains, Purse Records
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Oaklawn Park | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Oaklawn Park's 2015 live meet ended April 11 with increases in total handle and average daily handle as well as record-setting purses.
With business good across the board—on-track, off-track, Oaklawn Anywhere (ADW), Instant Racing and gaming—Oaklawn was able to increase purses three times during the 52-day season. Total purses were a record $24.2 million, an average of $465,000 per day, marking a 13% increase over 2014 and a 70% increase over just 10 years ago.
Despite losing seven days to weather, total handle was up 3% from last year at $174,201,721. Average daily off-track handle also showed a 3% increase at $2,669,924 while average daily total handle was $3,350,033, up 1%, from $3,318,589.
"We had picture-perfect weather the final week and unbelievable performances by champions Untapable ( 2 1/2-length winner of the Apple Blossom Handicap, gr. I) and American Pharoah (eight-length victor in the Arkansas Derby, gr. I)," director of racing David Longinotti said. "We believe our fans witnessed something special this season, and hope that those memories will carry them through the Triple Crown season and beyond."
On the track, jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. secured his third straight leading rider title, while trainer Chris Hartman earned his first Oaklawn trainer's title after coming on strong in the final month. Danny Caldwell was the leading owner for the second straight year.