Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN, on Sept. 9 announced the final results of its 2002 Live Racing Championship, highlighted by record attendance figures. After 61 days of live racing, the 2002 event saw 265,363 racing fans pass the Canterbury Park turnstiles. The season total is up 8.5% from 61 days in the 2001 event. Compared to 4,010 last season, the average daily attendance was 4,350. Both total and average daily attendance are the highest since the track reopened in 1995, reflecting the fifth consecutive year of increased attendance.

On the back of a 9.5% increase in simultaneous broadcast wearings, the average daily on-track total handle (live and simulcast) increased by 2.4% from $490,493 in 2001. The average daily on-track live handle of $250,000 decreased by 4% from $261,000 in 2001. The decrease in on-track live handles was primarily attributed to a 3.5% decrease in the number of live races from 599 in 2001 to 578 in 2002. Dangerous weather conditions forced Canterbury Park to cancel some of the two race cards. In addition, one race that was canceled entirely due to a lightning storm was not included in the average for the 2002 season, which was scheduled for a 62-day live race.

The lack of out-of-state pay negotiations for the Claim Crown (more than $2.5 million) in 2001 was cited as the reason for the 8.6 percent drop in the total amount of Canterbury Park Live Race ($26.5 million in 2002 compared to $29 million in 2001). After a three-year stint at Canterbury Park, this year's Claim Crown at Philadelphia Park is expected to return to Shakopi in 2003.

In 2002, the average daily wallet settlement of $117,620 decreased slightly from $121,058 in 2001 due to reduced stakes due to the non-hosting of the Claim Crown. Despite a 3.5% decrease in the number of matches played, a 5% increase in wallets midseason increased the average overnight purchase by 3.6% to $92,501.

The unusually humid summer also affected the average pick per thoroughbred race, which fell from 9.0 in 2001 to 8.6 in 2002. There was a significant year-over-year increase in scratches as poor track conditions caused by record rainfall and the 11-day grass race moved to the main track.

"We are excited by the increased attendance, which reflects the enthusiastic response from live racing fans to horse racing," said Randy Sampson, president of Canterbury Park. "Also, the strong growth of the on-track simulcasting business shows that we continue to develop our core handicap customer base. While the drop in bets at our live races, both on and off the track, was disappointing, it was unexpected given the absence of the Claim Crown and the number of weather-related live races that took place during the competition. The Claim Crown is set to return in 2003 and with a little help from Mother Nature, we're looking forward to a record year for all statistical categories." 온라인카지노