Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb., closed out its 40-date meet Wednesday with significant increases in handle, according to a press release. The track adjusted and added to its schedule this meet as one of the few facilities racing during the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

During the meet, it set several all-time handle records, with the ultimate being $7.2 million on April 7. 

Fonner Park's handle for all of 2019 was $12 million, according to a press release from the track. It's handle this year, through May, was more than $107 million. During the period of time when there were no spectators allowed ontrack, handle averaged $3.6 million a day.  

Fonner switched to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday racing for much of it's meet, but plans are to revert to its normal schedule in 2021.

"We have no plans to race Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday during 2021," Chris Kotulak, chief executive officer of Fonner, said in a press release. "We sell out in our clubhouse and Turf Club every Saturday of our racing season and our grandstand is full. Sundays have been evolving nicely for us and the Friday afterwork option for employees and businesses is good. 

"I’m not developing horse racing if I have a sparse gathering of people in my facility on weekdays instead of a vibrant, fun horse racing vibe on weekends. Besides, the community of Grand Island has been vital to our success and it is important for Fonner Park to give back to the city. Restaurants, hotels and gas stations do very well when the races come to town.”

Armando Martinez was the meet's leading jockey with 69 wins, according to the press release. Isai Gonzalez was the leading trainer at the meet for the third time, with 38 wins. The leading owner was Gonzalez's brother, Adriel Gonzalez. He won 20 races. The horse of the meet was Sleepy Eyes Todd, winner of the Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes. 

For more on the meet's handle, please click for Daily Racing Form article from Monday.