Page 12 - December 2020

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
LONE STAR PARK WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL MEET
The 2020 Fall Meeting of Champions at Lone Star Park wrapped on Nov. 28 and smashed 20-year-old records. The track in Grand Prairie, Texas, set a record of $77,867.88 in average daily export handle during the American Quarter Horse meet, which is 16% higher than the previ- ous all-time high set in 2000.
Luis L. Vivanco earned leading jockey honors with 31 races won. His mounts won a total of $737,514. This was his second Lone Star Park riding title as he also earned the title in 2014. Trainer Alonso Neri won his first Lone Star Park training title with 28 victories. His runners earned a total of $665,627. Sarah Huskey was the meet’s leading owner as her horses won 6 of 18 races.
INDIANA GRAND SETS HANDLE RECORD, DECLARES LEADERS
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino com- pleted its 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing Nov. 18. The season offered 92 days of combined Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing along with four days dedicated directly to the sprinters to set a new record of $198,960,722.
The 4-day race period also marked the best week ever in the 18-year history of
racing for Indiana Grand with a total of $13,176,192 wagered.
Overall, the track saw an increase of 60.93% over 2019. A total of $198,960,722 was wagered from all sources in 2020 compared
to $123,635,376 in 2019, which is 31% more handle with 26 less days in 2020.
Quarter Horse racing also saw a 17.33% increase in 2020. Total handle for Quarter Horse racing in 2020 was $20,143,348 com- pared to $17,168,338 in 2019 with two less all-Quarter Horse days in 2020. The track recorded its largest single-card handle on an all-Quarter Horse day with $819,708 wagered on the Aug. 8 program.
“To get 96 racing days in during these unprecedented times is a real credit to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission staff, our horsemen and our very dedicated group of employees,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “When you consider that we did all of that while breaking every handle record on the books makes the season a success by any measure.”
Indiana Grand hopes to return to its regular 120- racing season including six days dedicated to Quarter Horse racing in 2021.
Randy Smith, the track’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer earned his sixth straight title and those associated with his barn swept
the other categories for Quarter Horse racing during the 2020 racing season. Horses from the Smith Stable won 54 races during the 96-day meet with total purse money in excess of $1.4 million. Smith also won seven races on the Oct. 3 racing program and is the most for any trainer of any breed in one racing program at Indiana Grand.
“You always come into a meet, and you always hope for a good year,” said Smith. “As it always is, good help that cares will make you shine. Plus, having good owners is always a big boost too.”
Smith’s first call rider, Sammy Mendez, was doing the same in the jockey standings. Mendez set a new record for most wins in one season by a Quarter Horse jockey with 36 and most purse earnings in one year at $890,331. It marks the first title for the young Mendez, who is only in his second year of riding at Indiana Grand.
“I was very happy the whole meet and thank Mr. Randy for giving me the opportu- nity to ride,” said Mendez. “This is my first title, and I’m very excited. If I had to choose a best moment, it would be riding Louisiana Lover because he is a tough horse that tries every time he’s on the track.”
Mendez joined forces with the Smith Stable last year.
Indiana Grand Director of Racing Chris Polzen, leading trainer Randy Smith, leading jockey Sammy Mendez and daughter Vanessa, Vicki Mendez and Julieta & Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing.
10 SPEEDHORSE December 2020
Coady Photography