(edited press release)
Portland Meadows, which concluded its 2007-08 live meet on March 11, reported a 22.3% increase in gross handle from all sources compared to a year ago.
A total of $32,444,670 was handled over the sixty-one race days (including two partial cancellations) at Portland Meadows for an average all-sources handle per race day of $531,880. By comparison, 75 days of live racing were conducted in the 2006-07 meet and the all-sources handle was $32,598,496. The average handle per race day was $434,647 last season.
In two years, Portland Meadows said in a press release, all sources handle per race card has increased 102.2%. Average all-source handle during the 2005-06 race meet was $263,044.
In-state handle averaged $39,081 per day in 2007-08, a 2.09% increase over last season's average of $38,282.
For the second straight year, Portland Meadows conducted live racing Sunday through Tuesday each week.
Officials attributed the increase in wagering to the new schedule and the help of the TrackNet Media Group. As a part of TrackNet, Portland Meadows had its races available in more sites than ever before.
On Dec. 18, 2007 Portland Meadows set a new all sources single day handle record of $1,114,528.
A total of $3,092,350 in purses was paid out in the 2007-08 meet for average total purses per day of $50,694. That was an increase of 14.69% over the 2006-07 average purse payout per race day of $39,111.
The average number of starters per race jumped 6.32% from 7.16 runners per race in 2006-07 to 7.61 runners per race this meet.
Jockey Joe Crispin was both the leading Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse rider with 132 and 24 victories respectively. Crispin's 156 wins came from 542 mounts, a 28.78% win rate. Jim Fergason took the Thoroughbred training title with 60 wins. Ron Whited's K J Star Stable took the owner title with 20 victories.
