Attendance Up, Total Handle Down at Lone Star

Blood-Horse

Despite rainy weather, Lone Star Park registered increased attendance and total on-track wagering at its spring Thoroughbred meet, although all-sources handle declined 3.1% to $67.6 million.

Attendance during the meet conducted over 50 dates from April 9-July 19 increased 4.8% to 366,720, compared with 349,396 during the 50-date 2014 season. Average daily attendance was 7,325, compared with 6,988 a year ago.

On-track wagering on the live product was down 11.1% to $12.2 million compared to last year’s total of $13.7 million. But total on-track simulcast wagering showed a positive gain, rising 7.6% to $26.7 million compared with the $24.8 million wagered in 2014. The on-track wagering total, including both live and simulcast, rose 1% to $38.9 million versus $38.5 million last year. Daily averages were $777,677 compared with $770,129 one year ago.

Overall, there was a 3.1% decline in all-sources wagering, with $67.6 million wagered during the meet as opposed to $69.7 million wagered in 2014.

Lone Star reports that a total of 16.96 inches of rain fell in June, shattering the previous monthly record of 13.66 recorded in May of 1982, according to the National Weather Service. They showed a total of 26.47 inches fell in the area during the months of April though June.

“Having to endure record-breaking rainfall, which forced us to cancel part of our live race cards several times, the rise in attendance is encouraging,” Lone Star president Scott Wells said in a release. “The increased numbers are a testament that fans are pleased with the experience they have here. I give credit to our exceptional team of employees who do everything within their power to create winning experiences for our guests.

“Our live handle suffered not only from cancelled races caused by the deluge, but numerous scheduled turf races had to be transferred to the main track. Late scratches reduce field sizes, making those races less attractive to bettors.”

On the track, a total of 3,581 starters competed in 447 races compared with 3,774 runners in 458 races during the 2014 meeting. Average field size was 8.1 compared to 8.2 last year, a decrease of 5.1%. Average daily purses were $140,099 compared with $142,729 in 2014, a 1.8% decrease.

Because of the weather, the number of turf races declined 34.4% to 99 this season compared with 151 in 2014.

The local riding title went to a new face at Lone Star; C. J. McMahon. The 20-year-old Louisiana native won a total of 95 races from 284 starts during the 50-day mee, with his mounts earning $985,127. This was McMahon’s first ever riding title.

Finishing second with 53 wins from 198 starts was Lone Star Park’s all-time winningest jockey, Cliff Berry. This was his last season to compete at the Grand Prairie track as he announced he will retire from riding at the end of 2015.

Berry rode his first winner here during Lone Star Park’s inaugural Thoroughbred Racing Season aboard a horse named Ifihadawishforyou. That was on April 18, 1997. During his Lone Star Park career, he has ridden a total of 5,422 races at the Grand Prairie track, winning 1,028 of them and earning more than $18.4 million. He has been leading meet rider five times, in 2005-06, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Top trainer Karl Broberg won his second consecutive title. From a total of 167 starters, Broberg-trained horses made 66 trips to the winner’s circle. That is a 40% win rate compared with his 2014 rate of 29% with 58 winners from 203 starters. Broberg’s stable won a total of $610,531 for the meet.

A new record was reached for single-season wins by an owner. Danny Keene won a total of 38 races from 140 starters posting earnings of $495,034. This was Mr. Keene’s third consecutive title here at Lone Star Park. The previous record of 37 wins by an owner was set in 2010 by Tom Durant.

Majestic City, winner of the $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III), was voted champion horse of the meeting. Champion Texas-bred of the meet honors went to Texas Air who won the $200,000 Texas Mile (gr. III), his first graded stakes win. Get In Da House, who was a perfect 4 for 4 at the meet, was voted champion claiming horse.