In what has become a typical pattern for racetracks in the tough American economy, Turfway Park's fall meeting closed on Thursday with declines in on-track and all-source handle.

On-track wagering on Turfway races fell 18.3% to $2,642,584, down from $3,232,536 in 2007. Total handle on Turfway races dropped 20.2% to $42,596,033, down from $53,395,44 7.

"Unfortunately, our handle for the fall meet tracked very closely to many other racetracks whose recent meets closed with declines across the board," Turfway President said Robert Elliston, Turfway's president and chief executive officer. "We were actually holding our own on-track until a tough wagering day on Kentucky Cup [Classic Stakes (G2) day] last Saturday. Honestly, given the key matchup between Street Sense and Hard Spun on Cup day last year and the 11 Grade 1 races at Belmont and Santa Anita this year, we knew matching 2007 was going to be a difficult task. We didn't know we'd also lose a Sunday to—of all things here in Kentucky—hurricane winds."

Field size dipped to 8.5 from 8.9 in 2007.

Elliston said while the handle figures were down, the track performed well.

"We are appreciative of all the horsemen who raced with us this fall," Elliston said.

The contest for leading trainer and jockey of the meet was hard fought, with each leader prevailing by a single win. Trainer Mike Maker saddled horses to seven wins to beat Steve Margolis, while jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. guided in 19 wins to egde Otto Thorwarth.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey tied with Richard, Bertram, and Elaine Klein for leading owner honors. Each campaigned five winners during Turfway's fall meeting.