Vernon Downs saw a double-digit increase in export wagering handle and single-digit growth in live handle during its recently concluded live racing season.
The export handle --- money wagered on Vernon’s races at off-track facilities --- increased by 14 per cent while the live handle --- money wagered on-track on live races --- increased by one per cent.
“We are delighted by the double-digit increase in our export handle and continue to be pleased to see positive on-track numbers,” said Jason Settlemoir, the track's vice president of Racing and Simulcast. “We thank all of the horseplayers across the U.S. and Canada for their support and look forward to continue to provide them with an attractive wagering product in the future.”
The 2012 season wrapped up on November 3 and featured the second annual Turn Back the Clock Rewind Races, a series of seven-eighths mile races contested in the clockwise direction. More than 2,500 fans attended the races on closing night despite temperatures hovering in the upper 30s.
Sixty-year-old Rick Plano topped the driver and trainer standings, the first time such a feat had been accomplished during a full Vernon Downs season since 1989.
Other seasonal highlights included Ron Pierce’s dramatic victory in the 6th annual Drivers’ Championship, held at Vernon Downs for the first time. On that same August afternoon, Hambletonian champion Market Share set a track record while winning the Zweig Memorial, and super filly Check Me Out broke her own world record of 1:51.3.
(Vernon)