Gulfstream Park’s combined pari-mutuel handle the weekend of April 2-3 was $33.6 million, shattering the previous weekend record set last year in Gulfstream’s new building by 29%.
Gulfstream's Florida Derby (gr. I) attendance April 3, a Sunday, was a record 14,521, the largest crowd on any day since the new building was constructed in 2006.
Officials reported the Florida Derby program handle was $19.7 million compared with $21.1 million in 2010, when the race was held on a Saturday. Last year’s comparable Sunday handle was $5 million, compared with $13.9 million April 2 for the comparable Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) program.
“We’re very pleased Derby weekend proved to be such a huge success,” Gulfstream president and general manager Steve Calabro said in a statement. “We were a little apprehensive moving the Derby to Sunday, but the response was overwhelming to our weekend of activities, including the inaugural Florida Derby Golf Tournament, Ladies Day, and, of course, the Florida Derby.
"We’re also extremely grateful to all our horsemen and patrons for the money we raised throughout the weekend for so many wonderful causes.”