Handle, Field Size Up at Mahoning Valley

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course recently concluded its winter-spring meet and showed a 31% rise in daily average handle for the 65-day stand.

The track reported total of $47,996,831 was wagered, an average of more than $738,405 per day, which predominately featured eight races. The daily average is the highest for any season since the Austintown, Ohio, oval opened in 2014.

Field size was up significantly as well, with an average of more than 8.5 horses, compared with 6.71 wagering interests at the 2015 winter-spring meet.

 

"We benefited from better weather, lesser competition, and a stronger overall product," said Mark Loewe, vice president of racing for Penn Gaming. "We hope to continue our progress as we begin preparations for our 2016 fall season, which will include the $750,000 Best of Ohio Championships on Saturday, October 29, as well as our signature race, the $200,000 Steel Valley Sprint, which will be held on Monday, November 21."

Christian Pilares and Elliot Sullivan, earned the leading rider and trainer titles, respectively. Pilares had 49 wins from 311 mounts and also lead all jockeys by purse earings, with more than $651,000. For Sullivan, it was the first career training title for the 27 year-old. After finishing second in last year's winter-spring meet, Sullivan hit the winner's circle 26 times from 111 starts and earned more than $218,000.

Carolyn M., a 7-year-old Grand Reward—Mary Carolyn mare posted a 4-1-1 record from six starts en route to earning horse of the meet honors. Owned by Rolf Olbrecht and trained by Joe Poole, she bankrolled more than $25,000.

The 2016 fall-winter racing season starts October 28, and will feature a four-day-a-week schedule, Monday through Wednesday and Saturday.