Average attendance, handle down for Keeneland fall meet
Oct 25, 2014 22:45:56 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Oct 25, 2014 22:45:56 GMT -5
Average attendance, handle down for Keeneland fall meet
Brisnet
Keeneland's 2014 Fall Meet, highlighted by the debut of a new dirt surface, the track's first $1 million race and world-class racing that produced a large contingent of Breeders' Cup-bound horses, closed Saturday with the third-highest Fall season attendance in Keeneland history.
On-track attendance for the 17-day Fall Meet, held October 3-25, totaled 251,574, third behind the fall records of 266,466 and 259,710 recorded in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Average daily attendance was 14,798, down 5.59 percent from last fall's 15,674.
Attendance was impacted by consistent rain and cooler than normal temperatures on seven of the meet's opening 10 race days. Average daily attendance rebounded, however, to exceed comparable 2013 figures each of the final six days of the meet, which had sunny, dry weather.
"Mother Nature challenged us during the opening weeks of the meet, and we thank the legions of loyal fans who came to the races on those less than ideal weather days," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. "We strive to offer every one of our guests the best experience possible. Keeneland is a very special place to go racing in both good and bad weather."
On-track wagering totaled $17,625,834, dipping 3 percent from last Fall's $18,173,355. Average daily on-track wagering was $1,036,814, down 3 percent from $1,069,021 in 2013. All-sources wagering on Keeneland totaled $122,844,887, down 12 percent from last year's $139,660,179.
Keeneland's new dirt surface, which was installed this summer on the main track, performed exceptionally well despite the trials posed by October's inclement weather.
"The new drainage system was tested from the outset of the meet, but we are very pleased with its ability to handle all the rain," Keeneland Vice President of Racing Rogers Beasley said. "The track played very fair throughout the season, and winners were balanced between speed-favoring and come-from-behind horses, favorites and longshots."
Average daily purses of $651,558 for the Fall Meet continued to rank among the nation's highest. Field size averaged 8.42 starters per race compared to 9.85 in the 2013 Fall Meet.
Todd Pletcher and Graham Motion shared leading trainer honors with eight wins each. Rosie Napravnik won 16 races to capture her second consecutive Fall Meet riding title.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey won nine races during the meet to collect their 14th leading owner title and tie with T.A. Grissom for most overall titles won by an owner at Keeneland.
Brisnet
Keeneland's 2014 Fall Meet, highlighted by the debut of a new dirt surface, the track's first $1 million race and world-class racing that produced a large contingent of Breeders' Cup-bound horses, closed Saturday with the third-highest Fall season attendance in Keeneland history.
On-track attendance for the 17-day Fall Meet, held October 3-25, totaled 251,574, third behind the fall records of 266,466 and 259,710 recorded in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Average daily attendance was 14,798, down 5.59 percent from last fall's 15,674.
Attendance was impacted by consistent rain and cooler than normal temperatures on seven of the meet's opening 10 race days. Average daily attendance rebounded, however, to exceed comparable 2013 figures each of the final six days of the meet, which had sunny, dry weather.
"Mother Nature challenged us during the opening weeks of the meet, and we thank the legions of loyal fans who came to the races on those less than ideal weather days," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. "We strive to offer every one of our guests the best experience possible. Keeneland is a very special place to go racing in both good and bad weather."
On-track wagering totaled $17,625,834, dipping 3 percent from last Fall's $18,173,355. Average daily on-track wagering was $1,036,814, down 3 percent from $1,069,021 in 2013. All-sources wagering on Keeneland totaled $122,844,887, down 12 percent from last year's $139,660,179.
Keeneland's new dirt surface, which was installed this summer on the main track, performed exceptionally well despite the trials posed by October's inclement weather.
"The new drainage system was tested from the outset of the meet, but we are very pleased with its ability to handle all the rain," Keeneland Vice President of Racing Rogers Beasley said. "The track played very fair throughout the season, and winners were balanced between speed-favoring and come-from-behind horses, favorites and longshots."
Average daily purses of $651,558 for the Fall Meet continued to rank among the nation's highest. Field size averaged 8.42 starters per race compared to 9.85 in the 2013 Fall Meet.
Todd Pletcher and Graham Motion shared leading trainer honors with eight wins each. Rosie Napravnik won 16 races to capture her second consecutive Fall Meet riding title.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey won nine races during the meet to collect their 14th leading owner title and tie with T.A. Grissom for most overall titles won by an owner at Keeneland.
