The 11-race Louisiana Derby Day program at Fair Grounds on Saturday shattered
all-sources handle records and the modern on-track handle mark.
A total of $11,310,990 was wagered on the card, which included the $600,000
Louisiana Derby (G2), the $500,000 New Orleans H. (G2), the $300,000 Fair
Grounds Oaks (G2) and the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial H. The four stakes,
worth $1.5 million, combined to form the richest day in Louisiana racing
history.
Other records established included all-sources handle for a single race
($2,972,213 for the Louisiana Derby) and the modern mark for on-track handle
($866,466).
“Today was everything we could have possible hoped for,” Fair Grounds
President and General Manager Randall Soth said. “We had a terrific turnout,
perfect weather, and great human and equine talent for our on-track and
simulcast customers to enjoy.”
The previous all-sources handle record was $9,080,419, set five years ago to
the day, when the Louisiana Derby also headlined an 11-race card. That Louisiana
Derby, won by Mighty, also was the single-race record of $2.4 million.
The current meet has now produced two of the three highest all-sources handle
figures in the track’s history.
Saturday’s on-track attendance was 6,672, the most for a Louisiana Derby
program in the eight-year history of the new grandstand/clubhouse facility.