"We're very pleased," said track vice president and general manager Peter Berube. "With so much going on in the area it's very gratifying to see attendance up. It's also a validation of where the track is going with local horses doing so well."
Handle soared 42% for Tampa Bay Downs' second Florida Cup Day Sunday, when $3,832,790 was wagered on a card that featured six stakes races with purses that totaled $504,900. The $1,143,943 increase will get larger as final Canadian pools are totaled and converted. Last year $2,688,847 was wagered on the inaugural event. Attendance was 6,729 up 5% or 350 from last year's 6,379 attendance.