Purse Increase, Large Fields Boost Hawthorne Handle

Edited Hawthorne release
Fueled by an increase in purses to begin the meet and the fullest fields in Illinois, Hawthorne posted an increase in total handle on live racing during the 2005 fall Thoroughbred meet.

With an average 9.01 starters per race for the fall meet, total handle rose 10.79% during the meet, as an average of $3,103,147 was wagered on Hawthorne's live races per day, up from the $2,800,840 average in 2004. Out of state handle provided the biggest boost, up 16.39% with an average of $2,549,257 wagered daily on Hawthorne's races, compared with $2,190,266 wagered per card in 2004. On-site handle slipped, as the average of $179,414 wagered this fall was down from the $199,250 wagered on-site at Hawthorne in 2004.

Attendance figures were not released.

With a five win day on the second to last day of the card, jockey Chris Emigh captured his fourth Hawthorne riding title with 66 wins, followed by Shane Laviolette with 61 wins.

Trainer Wayne Catalano was back atop the standings, saddling 35 winners during the meet. Owner Frank Calabrese won his sixth consecutive owner's title with 35 wins from 101 starters, for a 35% win rate. 2 Blondes, Inc. finished second in the owner standing with 12 wins while Orion Stables was third with 11 wins.