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Hoosier Park at Anderson Concludes 2004 Standardbred Meet

ANDERSON, Indiana – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Hoosier Park at Anderson concluded its 11th season of harness racing Saturday, June 12. The meet offered 60 days of action, beginning March 20.

Total wagering reached $43.3 million for the 60-day meet compared to $31.6 million during the 50-day meet in 2003. Average daily handle for the Standardbred meet increased by 14 percent over 2003, as $721,566 was wagered nightly on Hoosier Park's card around the country compared to an average of $632,840 in 2003. The increase in average daily handle is a result of Hoosier Park out-of-state simulcasting, which saw a 16.9-percent increase over 2003 ($626,323 versus $535,683).

Average daily on-track handle fell 5.0 percent as $71,013 was wagered nightly in 2004 compared to $74,750 in 2003. An additional $24,229 was wagered nightly on the Hoosier Park card at the track's OTB locations around the state, an increase of 8.1 percent over 2003. Average daily attendance was 848, which was 22.3 percent above last year's figure of 693.

An average of 9.6 starters went to the gate in 2004, compared to 9.4 in 2003. Average daily purses rose 9.1 percent in 2004, as horsemen raced for an average of $112,115 in 2004 versus $102,746 in 2003. Total purses distributed in 2004 amounted to $6,726,900, an increase of 30.9 percent from the 50-day meet in 2003.

"We are pleased that Hoosier Park's Standardbred signal continues to be a popular choice around the nation," said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park's president and general manager. "Our association with Churchill Downs Simulcast Network ("CDSN") allows our races to be received in numerous locations around the United States, which is a big boost to our racing program."

Hoosier Park at Anderson offers Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing and wholecard simulcasting. Hoosier Park's 2004 Thoroughbred meet begins Sept. 2. Hoosier Park, a majority-owned property of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates simulcast-wagering facilities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. Information about Hoosier Park racing and all of its facilities can be found on the Internet at www.hoosierpark.com .

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