For the second straight year, sunny skies, larger fields and a higher daily average handle were the stories of the 70-day Emerald Downs’ meeting that concluded Sunday.
Average field size in 2016 was 7.43, up from 6.86 in 2015 and 6.27 in 2014. Average total daily handle was $975,434, up 16.8 percent over last year’s average of $835,037. When compared against the figures from the 2014 season handle is up 33.3 percent.
Emerald Downs’ President Phil Ziegler credited the better field sizes and lower minimum wagers for the increase.
“It’s really amazing that in just two years our handle has increased by a third,” he said. “We lowered the minimums for many of our wagers, added a 20 cent Pick 7, and our field size was up.”
On track attendance was steady this season with the highlight being a crowd of 13,328 on July 3, the largest in the past five years.
Other highlights of the meet included the track’s 20th anniversary celebration and the renaming of Emerald Downs Drive to Ron Crockett Drive.
“Ron Crockett and his partners built this beautiful track 20 years ago and made a commitment to live horse racing,” Ziegler said. “Ron continues to play an integral role at Emerald Downs. The Muckleshoot Tribe, who now own the facility, have continued the commitment and have invested approximately $15 million in purses since 2004.”
Emerald Downs experienced great weather for the season. There was sunshine for 51 of the 70 race days, clouds for 14 days, and it rained during portions of just 5 days. The average temperature for the 70 days was 72 degrees.
“We have some of the best spring and summer weather in the country. It’s perfect for the horses, our fans, and for folks who are handicapping and wagering on our races,” said Director of Media Relations Vince Bruun. “We had a fast track all but one day this entire season.”
On the track jockey Rocco Bowen and trainer Blaine Wright captured their first titles and O B Harbor, who won four of five starts including three stakes, was voted Horse of the Meeting.
For a complete list of season awards and more information on Emerald Downs visit emeralddowns.com.
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