Mixed Results for Lone Star Meet

Lone Star Park kept in step with most of the country's racetracks when it reported an overall increase in handle, but a decline in on-track wagering and attendance for its meet ending July 15.

The total all-sources wagering at the North Texas track rose 6.8% to $237,149,534 for its recent 74-day meet, up from $222,038,246 wagered a year ago when the racetrack ran 73 days. Lone Star took in an average of $3.2 million per day compared to last year when the average daily total handle was $3.04 million. All the growth in handle came from off-track wagering on Lone Star races, which increased 14.6% to $147,531,451.

On site, the average daily attendance fell 4% to 8,892 and on-track wagering dropped 6.6% to $660,065. Despite these declines, Lone Star continued having success with its marquee days. Lone Star Million Day, which features seven stakes races, attracted 19,027 fans or 4% more than the event drew last year. A record $6,076,969 was wagered on the big day, easily topping the previous single day wagering record of $5,618,471 set on April 18, 1999.