Record All-Sources Handle at Gulfstream

The 2015-2016 championship meeting at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, drew to a close Sunday, with all-sources handle that crushed the previous record established just last year.

All-sources handle for the meet totaled $807 million, a 15% increase over the record $704 million handled in 2014-2015. The new mark was established despite inclement weather which saw 57 races transferred from the turf to the main track in comparison to just 13 last season.

The track's Rainbow 6 wager retained its popularity during the 2015-2016 meet and generated a North American record pool for a mandatory dispersal Mar. 26. A total of $10.8 million in 20-cent wagers was added to the pool that afternoon, resulting in a gross pot of $15.185 million. Several successful bettors took home in excess of $89,000.

Saturday's GI Florida Derby program also attracted record handle for a non-Breeders' Cup card. Highlighted by a best-versus-best matchup between Mohaymen and Nyquist on a day featuring no fewer than eight blackt-type events, betting turnover for the afternoon was $32.082 million, easily surpassing the 2015 Florida Derby day record of $27.255 million.

“We're extremely gratified with Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet,” said P.J. Campo, Gulfstream's General Manager and The Stronach Group's Vice President of Racing. “Starting with the Claiming Crown back in December and building on key days like Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth, Sunshine Millions and the Donn Handicap, it seemed fitting our meet would culminate with a record Florida Derby Day and the wonderful performance by the undefeated colt Nyquist.

Campo continued, “Despite an inclement December and 57 races being taken off the turf, we continued to build our racing program with incredible equine and human performances and wonderful support from horsemen throughout North America. We still believe there's plenty of room for growth in our Championship Meet and we're excited about our summer program; a program we continue to reinvigorate. We're looking forward to a great summer with our Summit of Speed and Florida Sire Stakes races, and we're looking forward to making our Championship Meet even better next year.”