For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
REMINGTON PARK THOROUGHBRED SEASON OFF TO STRONG START
Double digit handle growth defies National Trend
Double digit handle growth defies National Trend
OKLAHOMA CITY – A third of the way through its 2010 Thoroughbred Season, Remington Park may well be on its way to surging past most national trends in horse racing, officials announced today.
When comparing the first 20 dates of each season, Remington Park’s pari-mutuel statistics are well ahead of those from a year ago. Through the racing night of Sept. 18, Remington Park wagering is:
• up 8.4% on live handle with a total of $1,661,852 wagered
• up 32.9% on export handle with $11,170,563 wagered
• up 22.5% on overall handle with $15,919,641 wagered
• up 32.9% on export handle with $11,170,563 wagered
• up 22.5% on overall handle with $15,919,641 wagered
The overall handle includes wagering at Remington Park operated Off-Track Betting sites in Oklahoma and import simulcast wagering.
“I think bettors around the country are beginning to recognize the quality of our racing product and are taking advantage of it,” said Scott Wells, president and general manager of Remington Park. “We have some of the biggest field sizes in the country and big field size produces larger payoffs. What’s really gratifying is the on-track handle. I attribute that statistic directly to the physical improvements made to our facility over the summer, which our patrons are enjoying so much.”
Wells noted guests are experiencing added amenities such as the waterfall and water features on the plaza, outside the new Henry Hudson’s Restaurant near the track’s finish line. The newly refurbished suites are attracting more business for group sales and nationally known jockeys visiting the track are luring a whole new crowd of patrons to the park.
“We had a strong Opening Weekend to the season which featured an appearance by three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel, along with a big Labor Day holiday accounting for much of the on-track success so far this season,” said Wells. “We changed our weekly racing schedule to a Wednesday thru Saturday slate for this season and the adjustment appears to have made a large difference overall, especially in the export handle category.”
The positive early returns have Remington Park’s ownership and management extremely confident the Oklahoma City venue will counter what has been a trying time nationally in horse racing with most tracks experiencing downward business trends over the past few years.
Remington Park has 46 race dates remaining in the 2010 Thoroughbred Season with many of the biggest events still ahead, including:
- Oklahoma Derby Day, Sunday, Oct. 10, featuring the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks and the $150,000 Remington Green Stakes on the only Sunday of racing this season
- $1.1 million Oklahoma Classics, Friday, Oct. 22, a night of championship stakes races for Oklahoma-breds
- Breeders’ Cup Championship simulcast days on Nov. 5 & 6
- Final Night of the Season, Saturday, Dec. 11, featuring the $250,000 Springboard Mile, the top 2-year-old race of the season
- Oklahoma Derby Day, Sunday, Oct. 10, featuring the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks and the $150,000 Remington Green Stakes on the only Sunday of racing this season
- $1.1 million Oklahoma Classics, Friday, Oct. 22, a night of championship stakes races for Oklahoma-breds
- Breeders’ Cup Championship simulcast days on Nov. 5 & 6
- Final Night of the Season, Saturday, Dec. 11, featuring the $250,000 Springboard Mile, the top 2-year-old race of the season
The Remington Park Thoroughbred Season is normally conducted Wednesday thru Saturday with programs beginning at 6:30pm.
Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s only Racetrack & Casino, located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.
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