MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (July 11, 2012) – Propelled by perfect weather, full fields, and an afternoon of thrilling racing, the 13th annual Summit of Speed program from Calder Casino & Race Course saw a 36 percent increase in total handle over 2011. On-track handle for the 12-race program rose seven percent over last year.

“Together with our racing office team’s ability to put together a great race card, our horsemen filled the entry box with top-quality talent, we offered a competitive product to our players, and we are pleased to see tremendous results,” Vice President and General Manager of Racing John Marshall said. “Judging by this boost in public interest, we anticipate gaining more forward momentum for the meet.”

On the racetrack, trainer Bill Kaplan stole the Summit of Speed spotlight winning two of the four graded stakes on the card, including a victory in the Grade 1 $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap, the centerpiece race of the Calder season. Kaplan saddled Eclipse Award winner Musical Romance to victory in the Princess Rooney, two races after winning the Grade 3 $150,000 Azalea Stakes with the 3-year-old filly Another Romance.

Gantry earned a spot in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November when winning the Grade 2 $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Series race, while Fort Loudon and Trinniberg staged a thrilling stretch duel in the Grade 3 $150,000 Carry Back Stakes, with Fort Loudon prevailing by a neck.