2021 meet

Assiniboia Downs closed the 2021 season with $36,609,401 wagered over the 51-day meet, the second-highest total handle in the track's history behind 2020 figures. Ongoing COVID-19 restrictions limited spectators and some horsemen early, but fans were able to return mid-season and some inter-provincial travel restrictions were loosened for horsemen, also mid-season. Trainer Jerry Gourneau won his third training title in the last four years and jockey Jorge Carreno won the jockey title in his first season at the Winnipeg track. "What another incredible year," said CEO Darren Dunn. "We are...

Colonial Downs concluded its 21-day season this week, highlighted by a new all-time daily average handle and over $10-million in purse distribution. In all, total handle was $46,867,078, a record average daily handle of $2,231,765. The 2019 meet--which was 15 days over five weeks--produced an average handle of $1,166,666, for a more that 91% increase. "It is so gratifying to see the continued revival of Virginia racing as we mark new all-time handle heights," said John Marshall, Colonial Downs Group Executive Vice President, Operations. "We have held true to our...

After a delayed and somewhat abbreviated 2020 meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio's JACK Thistledown Racino will open Monday, Apr. 26, for a full 2021 season with a 10% boost in purses. The 100-day meet will feature cards on a Monday through Thursday schedule with special Saturday cards beginning on Derby day May 1. The highlight of the meet is the 87th edition of the GIII Ohio Derby, which is the only graded event in Ohio. It will be worth $500,000 this year and will be run June 26....

Monmouth Park is set to hold 53 racing days for its 2021 meet, highlighted by the GI TVG.com Haskell S. July 17 and 45 other stakes races. The meet will open Friday, May 28, with the $100,000 Jersey Derby, and will run through Sept. 26. The New Jersey track will offer $6,150,000 in stakes races as it hosts its 76th racing season. A total of 46 black-type events will be contested at Monmouth, including 10 graded stakes and 10 New Jersey-bred stakes. The $1-million Haskell, won last year by eventual...

Beginning Friday, Jan. 8, Sam Houston Race Park will offer an expanded live racing season with additional stakes added to its 2021 meet. The 46-day meet will offer $2.4 million in purses, up from $1.8 million in 2020. The highlight of the meet, the Houston Racing Festival, will take place Sunday, Jan. 31, and will feature the GIII Houston Ladies Classic and the GIII John B. Connally Turf, as well as four other black-type races. The 2021 season will also feature 14 Texas-bred stakes. In addition, the purses for all...