Gulfstream Handles Record $11.1 Million on Claiming Crown

By David Joseph —-

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Gulfstream Park’s total handle on Saturday’s Opening Day program for the Championship Meet, highlighted by the 18th edition of the Claiming Crown, was a record $11.115 million.

The previous record Claiming Crown handle of $10.362 million was set last year, also on Gulfstream’s Opening Day program. Handle has risen all five years that Gulfstream has hosted the Claiming Crown. Handle in 2013 was $8.8 million and handle in 2014 was $10.06 million.

Saturday’s 11-race program was highlighted by Royal Posse winning the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel for the second consecutive year.

“We’re extremely pleased with the opening of what promises to be an historic Championship Meet,” said P.J. Campo, Vice President of The Stronach Group and General Manager of Gulfstream Park. “The support from horsemen throughout North America for Saturday’s Claiming Crown was extraordinary. We had full, competitive fields and some spectacular performances by horses and riders. The crowd on-track was full of energy and they enjoyed the changes we made at our state-of-the-art facility. We’re looking forward to many days like this, including the Jan. 21 Sunshine Millions and Eclipse Awards, Jan. 28 Pegasus World Cup and April 1 Florida Derby.”

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.