Seabiscuit, Smarty Jones Credited for Arizona Track Success

ARIZONA – As reported by the Thoroughbred Times: "The lingering popularity of the film "Seabiscuit" and dual classic winner Smarty Jones as well as a concerted effort by tracks to reach a broader audience has helped spark Arizona's racetrack, including Turf Paradise, to their best fiscal numbers in wagering, revenue, and attendance in five years.

"Although combined pari-mutuel handle from commercial horse, greyhound, and county fair racing was down 0.6% for the period ending June 30, total handle from the state's commercial horse tracks was $160.4-million, up from $156.2-million the year before, while attendance rose from 918,829 in 2003 to 959,722 over the same period this year, according to the Arizona Department of Racing's fiscal 2004 annual report…"

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