Lone Star Park concluded its 65-day spring meeting on July 27 with a 5.6% increase in average daily attendance, the largest annual increase in that category in the history of the Grand Prairie, Texas, track.

While conducting two fewer days of live racing compared to the 2007 meet, Lone Star’s average daily attendance this year was 7,500. Last year, that figure was 7,100.

Lone Star previously recorded a track-best 1.5% increase in average daily attendance during the 2001-’02 meets.

The track’s overall attendance increased 2.1%, from 475,097 last year to 484,879.

“We are extremely pleased with the growth in attendance during the 2008 meet and would like to thank all of our loyal customers who came out to Lone Star Park,” President Drew Shubeck said. “In addition to the live racing, our big event days and a very successful concert series, as well as Big Brown’s exciting run to the Triple Crown, provided our fans with great entertainment throughout the meet.

“The growth in attendance during these difficult economic times demonstrates that Lone Star Park remains one of the best and most affordable entertainment values in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.”

Total wagering on Lone Star’s live racing declined 2.5% from $1.67-million last year to $1.63-million. Total on-track wagering, which includes bets on both live and simulcast races, was $1.03-million, a 5.8% decrease from $1.09-million in 2007.

The all-sources average daily handle declined 4% to $2.25-million. Last year’s figure was $2.34-million.

The mutuel handle numbers were impacted by a dispute that prevented Lone Star from sending its signal to Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) outlets. Horsemen are seeking a larger share of ADW handle.

Cliff Berry led all jockeys with 91 wins to earn his third Lone Star riding title in the past four years. Steve Asmussen topped the trainer standings with 78 victories.

Tom Durant led all owners with 17 wins.

California-based Monterey Jazz, the winner of the Texas Mile Stakes (G3) on April 26, was voted horse of the meet.