Handle Spikes During Gulfstream Summer Meet

Gulfstream Park concluded its 117-day summer meet Oct. 1 with a 14% increase in total wagering and average daily handle up 11%.

The South Florida track reported total handle of $556.9 million, an increase of $66.9 million over the $490 million figure in 2015, with daily average handle of $4.76 million for the meet that ran from April 4 to Oct. 1. According to The Jockey Club Information Systems, Gulfstream had average field size of 7.83 runners per race, with average daily purses of $270,600.

Gulfstream reported $9.4 million was wagered on the closing-day 13-race program highlighted by three races in the Florida Sire Stakes series.

"We continue making progress in rebuilding summer racing and the 2-year-old program in Florida," said P.J. Campo, vice president of racing for The Stronach Group and general manager of Gulfstream Park. "Summer racing is improving and it's being noticed around the country in the number of horsemen who are applying for year-round stalls as well as in handle.

"Our goal is to continue building our summer program and continue reinvigorating the Florida Sire Stakes program with our partners at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association."

The track's 2016-17 Championship Meet begins Saturday, Dec. 3, with the $1.1 million Claiming Crown. The meet will be highlighted by the 66th running of the Florida Derby (gr. I) on April 1 and the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (gr. I) on Jan. 28.