Betting, Attendance Declines Continue at Turfway Park

Turfway Park in northern Kentucky reported declines in on-track betting and attendance and overall handle during the winter/spring meet that concluded last Thursday.

According to the track, average daily on-track handle of $417,389 represented a 4% decrease from the $434,843 during the comparable meet one year ago. Average daily on-track attendance fell 13.1% to 1,710.

Turfway reported that average daily wagering from all sources was $3,680,049, down 4.1%. Average daily purse distribution of $157,810 represented a decrease of 11.2% from the $177,747 at last year's meet.

"Turfway Park continues to face the most severe competition of any racetrack in North America with three major riverboat casinos within 30 minutes of our facility," said Turfway president Robert Elliston. "On a positive note, Turfway continued to offer quality racing during the meet, especially the weekly stakes races which offered full and competitive fields. In addition, attendance and on-track handle were up on the biggest day of the meet--Lane's End Spiral Stakes Day."