By Marcus Green
The Courier-Journal

Turfway Park attracted 20,934 people for the Lane's End Stakes on March 20, a Kentucky Derby prep race and the meet's signature day. It was the third-highest crowd in Turfway history - despite ominous weather. Wagering was up substantially over last year despite 13 fewer races this meet because of weather. Enquirer file

FLORENCE - Wagering on Turfway Park races rose nearly 20 percent from the previous year despite fewer races during the winter/spring thoroughbred meet, which was overshadowed by the death of jockey Michael Rowland.

The track finished racing April 1 and announced Monday that overall betting, or handle, on Turfway races climbed to $138.4 million, up from $115.5 million in 2003. Total on-track betting increased almost 2 percent to $22.7 million.

The track had 13 fewer races this meet because of weather. The track also canceled some races after Rowland's death.

"While it was a very positive meet from a handle perspective, it could have been a tremendous meet, really, if we had caught a break with the weather on a few days," said Turfway president Bob Elliston.

The meet results are a bright spot in an otherwise tough winter for the Northern Kentucky racetrack. Rowland, who was hurt in a spill Feb. 4, became the first jockey in Kentucky since 1976 to die from track-related injuries.

Elliston credited the overall betting increase on Turfway races to the TVG racing channel, which lets bettors watch and wager at home, and to greater access to New York's off-track betting parlors.

"We couldn't get our signal in past 7:30 in the evening to the New York OTBs," Elliston said. "They changed that, so we saw some growth there."

Turfway had reported across-the-board declines during the 2003 winter/spring meet, including a 12 percent drop in total betting and a 10 percent reduction in out-of-state wagering. The track blamed last year's financial performance on inclement winter weather.

Purses paid to Turfway horsemen this year increased to $8.9 million - or about 1 percent - but still fell below the $9.6 million paid in 2002.

Elliston said this year's purses contributed 18 percent more to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, a program for owners of Kentucky-bred horses in certain races.

At the racetrack, Turfway rolled out several promotions aimed at young horse players, including live concerts, $1 beer specials and $1 minimum win, place and show bets on Friday night. Elliston said the Friday night handle jumped 38 percent from last year.

"We focused in on not only creating a reason for them to come out to the racetrack but when they got here, created an environment tied back to the racing," Elliston said.

Turfway does not keep daily attendance records because the track offers free admission, but Elliston said he believes the track drew more fans this winter, based on the higher on-track handle and the Friday promotions.

Turfway attracted 20,934 people for the Lane's End Stakes on March 20, a Kentucky Derby prep race and the meet's signature day. It was the third-highest crowd in Turfway history despite ominous weather.

Because of increased competition from Indiana riverboat casinos and states with slots-enhanced purses and breeding programs, Elliston said the push for alternative gambling will continue to be central to the health of Kentucky's thoroughbred industry.

"I think it's tremendously important, particularly as it relates to keeping Kentucky racing at the forefront of the national scope," he said.

Elliston, who has served as the spokesman for the Kentucky racetrack lobby on the gambling issue, said the horse industry is largely united behind alternative gambling. But he indicated that the strategy might change in future legislative sessions to emphasize that the state's breeders would benefit as well.

"How we communicate that may need to change, and who communicates that needs to probably change," he said. "We at the racetracks are aware of the seamless connection between racing and breeding."