Mountaineer Reports Increases in Handle, Purses

As Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort prepares to host its marquee event, the grade 3 West Virginia Derby (G3), there is enthusiasm in the racing community given recent improvements and increased interest in the local product from a business standpoint.

Mike Bish, who took over as Mountaineer director of racing in late July 2025, said metrics such as pari-mutuel handle and field size have been positive. Though the track was awarded 125 racing dates through December 9, business thus far has been on the upswing.

For the period of January 1 through August 5, 2025, wagering on the Mountaineer live product was $69 million. For the same period in 2026, wagering stood at $89 million, an increase of 29%. Live racing actually began in mid-April in both years.

The daily average handle so far this year is $1.5 million, and there have been nights on which it has been $1.8 million to $2 million.

Bish, a graduate of West Virginia University who grew up assisting his father, Walter, a longtime trainer at Mountaineer, has held many positions over the years, including in racing offices, as a racing official and as a jockey agent. He has worked not only at Mountaineer but Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Pennsylvania, Tampa Bay Downs in Florida and Sam Houston Race Course in Texas.

As part of the plan to grow the horse population, Bish kept some members of the Mountaineer grounds crew on the payroll over the winter dark period for racing to make important stable area improvements.

"There were 400 stalls in bad condition that could not be used, and hadn't been for years, so our crew made the repairs during the off-season," Bish said. "The result of that work has definitely paid off. More horses are stabled here, and our barns are at 95% capacity. That reflects in our increase in field sizes."

"We also reseeded and re-fertilized the turf course. The weather hasn't helped with all the rain that forces races off the turf, but I think we've gotten back some of the gamblers that had kind of left."

Jami Poole, president of the Mountaineer Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said the overall improvements are welcome.

"I don't think it could be any better so far," Poole said. "Our export handle (on many nights) is almost double what it was. Mike is working hand-in-hand with us, and (Mountaineer Casino general manager Jason Pugh) is the best one I've worked with here over the years."

"We have a good relationship--there's a willingness to meet in the middle. They seem to value the opinion of the horsemen when it comes to making things better."

According to statistics maintained by the horsemen's group, average daily purses in 2025 averaged $94,777 per program, but this year through August 5, the average was $105,647. That's an 11.5% increase.

"Horse racing has been very dear to me, so when this job opened up last year it was perfect timing," Bish said. "Mountaineer has made vast improvements in field sizes and wagering. We're also trying to improve the quality, but we balance that with making sure the smaller barns are accommodated. The plan is to increase purses a little bit each year, and hopefully that is the case."

As part of the West Virginia Derby celebration on Sunday, August 9, the Mountaineer HBPA will be selling T-shirts and hats on the racetrack apron to raise money for the Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy.