Evangeline Downs' recently concluded spring/summer Thoroughbred season recorded solid numbers including increases in average nightly handle, average nightly on-track handle, and total on-track handle for the 84-night season.
The season, which ended Sept. 8, posted a nightly average handle of nearly $1.39 million, an increase of 4.3% from last year's average of $1.331 million. Nightly average on-track handle rose sharply, up 9% to $62,751 from last year's $57,551. Total on-track handle was $5,208,405, up from $5,064,557, despite five fewer racing nights compared to 2011. Total handle for the season was $115,291,118, compared to last year's $117,202,645.
The track reported an average of 9.29 starters per race.
Plenty of money was available to horsemen, as a total of $15.83 million was paid out over the season, an average of more than $190,000 per program.
