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SAM HOUSTON RACE
PARK OFF TO BIG START Park Boasts 24% Increase in Handle at Meet’s
Midpoint Feb. 16, 2012 - Sam Houston Race Park officials are pleased with both the numbers and enthusiasm from racing fans as the 2012 Thoroughbred meet enters its fifth week. Since opening night on Friday, January 20 when 12,856 fans were on hand for the first night of Texas Champions Weekend, the Park has seen significant gains in both attendance and handle. Live racing takes place each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday; all have had solid handle numbers with an average of $1,405,902 bet per card by patrons on track and simulcast players across the country. Through the first four weeks of the meet, the total handle is up $4.1 million, which represents an increase of 24% overall. The increases are not just on the host handle (or money bet from tracks and simulcast facilities). On-track average handle is up 33% from the same time period last year. Monday afternoon racing which began in 2010 also continues to surpass expectations. Total handle has averaged more than $1.5 million each Monday with a high of $1,790,127 on February 6, 2012. Friday and Saturday attendance has currently welcomed more than 20,000 additional visitors compared to Friday and Saturday attendance in 2011. The increase in attendance has also had a positive impact on food and beverage sales. The Park has sold over 30,000 beers on Friday nights, up 74% from 2011; total concession sales are up 70% from last year and the Winner’s Circle restaurant is presently tracking 24% better than in 2011. Purses are up averaging $164,000 each day, versus $160,000 last year, the largest in the track’s 18 year history. Every Saturday night, at least one stakes race of $50,000 or higher, is on the card, and many nationally prominent horses have shipped in for the featured events. This weekend’s card features two of the meet’s largest races as a part of the Texas Stallions Series. Field size is another positive indicator of the eight week meet. The Park is currently averaging 8.8 starters per race. This represents a 5% increase from 2011, and has resulted in some excellent exotic payouts, in particular for the Houston Hi-Five, which made its debut this meet. Offered on the fifth and last race of the card, the Houston Hi-Five boasts a carryover if there are no winning tickets. "We are absolutely thrilled about our start," said Andrea Young, Sam Houston Race Park's President. "The support of the horsemen and our fans has been incredible. We are optimistic that the energy will continue over the last few weeks of the meet.” The 2012 Thoroughbred meet continues through Monday, March 12,
with post times set for Friday and Saturday (7 p.m.), Sunday (5
p.m.) and Monday (1 p.m.). The meet will feature special events
including Ladies Night on February 25, the MAXXAM Gold Cup on March
3 and Camel & Ostrich Races on March 10. The park will also host a
27-day Quarter Horse Meet from March 22 – May 19. | ||
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