Opening day of the 2017 Winter Meet at Rillito Park Race Track was a record-breaking one.
More than 5,000 people participated in opening day activities with the handle being the largest in the track’s history. Guests wagered throughout the day on eight races including five thoroughbred races and three quarter horse races. The record-setting total was over $144,000 that includes teletracking to betting parlors worldwide.
“We are ecstatic about the response from the community,” said Jaye Wells, president of Rillito Park Foundation. “We have a new lease on life, and that’s a ‘play on words’ because the four-year lease extension by the county has propelled the track in a very positive direction.”
The 2017 Winter Meet will have 6 weekends of live racing, February 11 through March 19, 2017. (Rillito Raceway photo)
According to Michael Weiss, track General Manager, “an additional boost came from simulcast wagering of the races at tracks across the United States, and this coupled with wagering at the track itself made for a record day.”
Early estimates are that close to $200,000 was wagered.
Visit www.rillitoparkfoundation.org for more information.
Day two of Rillito racing begins today at 1 p.m.
Information for this story came from Ed Ackerley Advertising
