Keeneland Spring Handle Figures Down

Keeneland concluded its 15-day meet April 24 with overall on-track attendance ranking the fourth-highest in spring meet history, but pari-mutuel handle figures were down from last year's meet.

 

For the meet, held April 3-24, attendance totaled 250,451, down from the 2014 spring meet total of 270,093 but a strong figure nevertheless. The record spring meet attendance, posted during the 16-day meet in 2013, is 278,415.

 

Average daily attendancewas 16,697 compared with last spring's record 18,006.

 

On-track wagering totaled $16,142,325 down 14.7% from $18,931,643 last spring. Average daily on-track handle was $1,076,155, also down 14.7% from $1,262,110 in 2014.

 

All-sources wagering was $117,617,108, down 14.8% compared with $138,033,442 last spring.

 

This year's meet was the first spring meet to be held on Keeneland's new dirt track. The track's consistent performance and ability to drain quickly and safely despite near-record rainfall drew praise from participating trainers.

 

"The dirt track was put to the ultimate test this spring, but its ability to handle the rain resulted in only one day in which it was rated 'sloppy,' and that was opening day, when we received more than seven inches of rain in a 24-hour period," Keeneland vice president of racing Rogers Beasley said. "The composition of our dirt surface coupled with the innovative drainage system and the diligent work of our track crew, who often worked through the night, kept it in top-notch condition for racing and training."

 

Average daily purses were $588,192 during the spring meet. Average field size fell from 9.09 starters per race in spring 2014 to 8.07 this year, according to The Jockey Club Information Systems.