Early Numbers Up at Beulah; Sets Single Day Wagering Record

Beulah Park, near Grove Park, Ohio, kicked off its first four days of racing in 2004 with a staggering 96% percent increase over the same number of days a year ago. Beulah Park opened the 2004 spring meet Saturday Jan. 10 with a total pari-mutuel handle of $1,258,570 versus $718,816 on opening day last year.

On Monday, Beulah Park shattered an 81-year-old all time single day pari-mutuel record when $1,554,073 was pushed through the windows on the nine race card. For the start of the 2004 season, Beulah Park registered a record four day pari-mutuel total of $4,901,747 for a daily average of $1,225,543. That compares with a four-day opening total last year of $2,498,771 or a daily average of $624,692. The totals reflect money wagered just on Beulah Park races not import signals.

Live thoroughbred racing returns to Beulah Park Friday afternoon with a first post 1:15 p.m. Live racing continues through May 1.