Lone Star Park's 20th Spring Thoroughbred Season Concludes with Positive Gain from Live Handle

(Grand Prairie, Texas - Friday, July 22, 2016) - Lone Star Park concluded its 20th Spring Thoroughbred Racing Season on Sunday, July 17 with a six percent increase in off-track live wagering, raising the total amount wagered on its live racing product by 1.8 percent.

"We're happy with the increase in live product wagering, especially the off-track numbers," said President and General Manager Scott Wells. "It shows that interest from national simulcast customers has increased in our live product offering."

Attendance during the 2016 Spring Thoroughbred Season, which was conducted over 50 dates between April 7 and July 17, totaled 362,457, a slight decline of one percent compared to 366,720 during the 50-date 2015 season. Average daily attendance was 7,249, compared to 7,325 a year ago.

80,806 music fans attended the six concerts that made up the highly successful 2016 Lone Star Music Series, one less than the seven staged in 2015. Average per concert attendance was 13,468, versus the per concert average of 13,392 in 2015.

Total on-track simulcast wagering was $25.7 million, compared to the $26.7 million wagered in 2015 a decline of 3.9 percent. On-track live wagering slipped 7.9 percent to $11.2 million, compared to last year's total of $12.1 million.

The total amount wagered on the live product, both on and off-track, rose 1.8 percent to $41.6 million, versus $40.8 million last year. Daily averages were $832,433, compared to $817,320 one year ago.

Overall, there was a slight decline of 0.4 percent in all-sources wagering. $67.3 million was wagered during the meet, as opposed to $67.6 million wagered in 2015.

On the track, a total of 3,582 starters competed in 451 races. Average field size was 7.94, compared the 2015 national average (U.S. and Canada) of 7.82 according to The Jockey Club. Lone Star Park's average daily purses were up 5.5 percent at $147,801 compared, to $140,099 from last season.

"Once again, we exceeded the national average in field size, and we had the participation of some of the greatest owners, trainers and jockeys in North America," said Wells.

Season Leaders

With 99 wins, 2015's leading rider, C. J. McMahon, won his second consecutive riding title. Iram Vargas Diego finished second with 84 winners, and top rider of 2014, David Cabrera, finished third with 47 wins.

Trainer Karl Broberg captured his third consecutive Lone Star Park training title with 61 wins. All-time leader Steve Asmussen claimed the runner-up spot in the trainer standings with 51 wins, and two-time leading trainer Bret Calhoun (2010-11) finished third with 42 wins.

Lone Star Park's all-time leading trainer, Steve Asmussen, captured his first-ever owner title at the Grand Prairie track. Asmussen and End Zone Athletics were tied at 20 wins each as of Friday night. On Saturday, Asmussen took home two wins to take the lead and held on to close out the meeting on top at 22 to 20.

Season Champions Stats At A Glance

Champion Jockey - C. J. McMahon (290-99-55-34-$1,366,529) 2nd Lone Star Park riding title

Champion Trainer - Karl Broberg (187-61-40-26-$673,912) 3rd Lone Star Park training title

Champion Owner - Steve Asmussen (52-22-5-12-$220,361) 1st Lone Star Park owners title

Lone Star Park's 26-day, 2016 Fall Meeting of Champions for American Quarter Horses will be held from September 16 to November 12, with live racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 6:35 p.m.

Total business levels for the 50-day season are as follows:

Total Attendance & Handle 2016 (50 dates) 2015 (50 dates) +/-
Attendance: 362,457 366,270 -1%
On-Track, Live Handle: $11.2 million $12.2 million -7.9%
Simulcast-In Handle: $25.7 million $26.7 million -3.9%
Off-Track, Export Handle: $30.4 million $28.7 million +6%
Live Product/Merge Handle (On-Track, Live & Off-Track): $41.6 million $40.9 million +1.8%
On-Track Total (Live Handle, Simulcast-In): $36.5 million $38.9 million -6.2%
All-Sources (On-Track, Live & Off-Track, Simulcast-In): $66.9 million $67.6 million -1%
       
Daily Attendance & Handle Averages 2016 (50 dates) 2015 (50 dates) +/-
Attendance: 7,249 7,325 -1%
On-Track, Live Handle: $224,367 $243,532 -7.9%
Simulcast-In Handle: $513,073 $534,145 -3.9%
Off-Track, Export Handle: $608,066 $573,788 +6%
Live Product/Merge Handle (On-Track, Live & Off-Track): $832,433 $817,320 +1.8%
On-Track Total (Live Handle, Simulcast-In): $729,288 $777,677 -6.2%
All-Sources (On-Track, Live & Off-Track, Simulcast-In): $1,337,354 $1,351,464 -1%
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