(May 7, 2005) - Total wagering on Lone Star Park's 12-race live program on Kentucky Derby Day was up 8.5% compared to 2004 business figures, as the on-track crowd of 15,304 bet $927,684 and another $2,820,469 was wagered at simulcast outlets across the country for a total of $3,748,153. Last year, Derby Day wagering on Lone Star's racing totaled $3,412,562.

As of 8 p.m., the locals had wagered more than $3 million on-track and simulcast betting was to continue through the night. Wagering on Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby program totaled $1,462,589, including $1,044,275 on the Kentucky Derby alone, which was second only to last year's record $1,156,938 when Smarty Jones won.

In addition, 1,492 cars passed through Lone Star Park's Drive Thru Wagering service off Belt Line Road at Gate 2 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and wagered $147,887 - both Kentucky Derby Day records at Lone Star.

The upset by 50-1 longshot Giacomo and runner-up effort by Closing Argument - the longest shot in the race at 71-1 - led to giant payoffs. Giacomo paid $102.60 to win - the second highest payoff in Derby history. The winning Exacta ($9,814.80), Trifecta ($133,134.80) and Superfecta ($1,728,507) were all Derby records.

Another hefty return came in the Churchill Downs Pick 4 (which required bettors to select four winners in a row in Races 7-10) that ended with the Derby. Two $1 tickets - each worth $82,084.30 - were sold at Lone Star. One ticket belonged to a three-person partnership and one of the partners had the other ticket by himself.

"The tickets were cashed by three of our better customers," said Jeff Greco, Lone Star Park's Vice-President and General Manager. "We were happy to write them the big checks."

Waupaca Wins $40,000 Connecting Terms Stakes

In Lone Star Park's featured live race, Waupaca, owned by Wayne Saunders of Dallas rolled to a two-length victory over Seinne in the $40,000 Connecting Terms Stakes. The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred ran 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.87 under jockey Cliff Berry and paid $14.20 to win. Trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel said Waupaca would be pointed to the $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup on June 18.