After its first 16 racing programs of the 2012 season, handle at Scioto Downs is up more than 20 per cent.

Racing general manager Stacy Cahill attributes that to improvements in the penthouse and grandstand facilities and the efforts of pari-mutuel manager Steve Carpenito.

“We’re pleased to be off to a great start this season,” Cahill said. “We’ve had a lot of 10-horse fields and that really spikes the handle. We’ve got a Pick 3 and a Pick 4 and they’re very popular. Plus, we’ve been blessed with good weather, too.”

She said that the Scioto Downs racino has certainly helped create interest in the racing product, but the racino has been open for only five of the 16 race programs.

“The way the racino is designed it makes it easy for patrons to access the track and I’m sure that we’ll see ongoing benefits from the racino customers,” she said.

Scioto began its season on May 10 and races each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 6:30 p.m.

(Scioto)