Hoosier Park concluded its 11th season of racing on Friday with a 30.8
percent increase in total wagering. The meet, originally slated for 60 days,
offered 57 full days of racing. Two cards were cut short and a third was
canceled entirely, due to inclement weather.
Total wagering reached $100.6 million compared to $76.9 million during the 59-day meet in 2004. Average daily handle from all sources increased
35.4 percent, from $1,303,110 to $1,764,065.
The Anderson, Indiana, track enjoyed strong support for its simulcast signal,
which grew by 33.3 percent, from $71.3 million to $95 million.
On track, average daily wagering fell 1.6 percent, from $76,321 to $75,118.
Average daily attendance was 1,178, an increase of 23.4 percent over last year’s
average of 955.
The meet featured an average of 9.3 horses per race compared to 8.7 in 2004.
Average daily purses rose 12.6 percent, from $144,756 to $162,953. Total purses
equaled $9,288,309, an increase of 8.8 percent compared to $8,540,624 a year
ago.
Rodney Prescott earned his first Hoosier Park jockey title with 80 wins.
Ralph Martinez picked up his third consecutive leading trainer title with 40
victories from 178 starts. Louis O’Brien was the leading owner for the third
year in a row.