Bucking National Trends, Remington Park Quarter Horse Season Prospers With Increased Attendance and Handle

 OKLAHOMA CITY - The Remington Park 2009 American Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season concluded May 31 with increases in both on-track handle and attendance. The richest race in Oklahoma history, the $1,107,000 Heritage Place Futurity highlighted the 50-date schedule that featured record-breaking performances on the track and the highest purse structure ever paid at Remington Park for the Quarter Horse season.

Attendance increased for the sixth consecutive Quarter Horse season with 345,923 guests here on race nights, an increase of 9.4% compared to the 2008 season. The larger crowds wagered $3,616,562 on live racing, up 3% compared to last year.

"The Remington Park racing product is stronger than it has ever been with the best in the Quarter Horse world competing on a nightly basis in Oklahoma City," said Remington Park president and general manager Scott Wells. "Our fans have responded to the high quality of racing and have come out in droves to witness the sprint racing superstars we've seen here this season. We promised through our ad campaign that they'd see the World's Fastest Athletes and we certainly fulfilled that promise."

The quality of Remington Park's racing product was noticed across North America as well with the export handle at $19,163,378, an increase of 5.3% compared to last year. Remington Park's Off-Track Betting sites in Oklahoma also showed increased handle on live racing with $552,659 wagered, up 1.4%.

Overall wagering on Remington Park racing was $23,332,599, up 4.9% compared to the 2008 Quarter Horse Season.

Total purses for competing horsemen at Remington Park grew to all-time record highs this season with $13,278,827 paid. The daily purse average of $265,577 is a new all-time record at Remington Park, regardless of season. The total purse amount is up $2,886,124 over the 2008 season while the average daily purses are up $57,723 per race card.

Remington Park continues to provide race fans with competitive racing and field size. Through 550 races over the 50 dates, the average number of horses per race was 9.2, up slightly from the 9.1 average produced per race in 2008.

The richest racing night in track history took place May 30 with over $2 million in purse money on the line for horsemen through 13 races. The $1,107,000 Heritage Place Futurity headlined the program, won by Ragazzo.

Remington Park live racing is now on hiatus until the start of the 2009 Thoroughbred Season on August 21.

Remington Park is a Top 3 North American Racetrack according to the Horseplayers Association of North America rating system. A division of Magna Entertainment Corp., 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. Open every day at 10 a.m. Remington Park offers full-card simulcast racing and electronic gaming casino with 700 of the most popular games. The casino is open until Midnight Sunday thru Wednesday, operable until 2am on Thursday and until 3am on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, reservations and group bookings please call 405-424-1000, 866-456-9880 or visit remingtonpark.com.