Around the Backstretch: Friday News And Notes

A happy Veterans Day to everybody, and a "thank you" for all the men and women that have served this country, either past or present. 

Below are a few of the items making headlines on this Friday.  Among the big stories: Drosselmeyer will likely come back in 2012; the recently completed Santa Anita meet turned out to be pretty good; Tampa Bay is going to see an increase in stakes purses this winter; and Bernardini gets a price increase.

Total Handle Jumps 8.7% at Santa Anita Meet | BloodHorse.com
Santa Anita Park posted gains across the board during the recently concluded 24-day fall meet, led by an 8.7% jump in all-sources handle when compared to the corresponding days in 2009.

Tampa Bay Stakes Purses to Increase | BloodHorse.com
Track's stakes schedule offers purse money of about $2.6 million. Seven stakes races are offering increases of $25,000, fueled partially by contributions from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.

Belmont fall meet shows increases in on-track handle, attendance - Handicappers' Edge
On-track handle and NYRA Rewards account wagering demonstrated huge gains during the 2011 Belmont Park fall meet and attendance also increased, while all-sources handle declined from last year.

Prairie Meadows race days shift for 2012 | Daily Racing Form
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday approved a 67-day meet for Prairie Meadows in 2012 that will run from April 20 to Aug. 11 and have a Thursday-to-Sunday race week, a change from recent years when the track raced Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Nominees announced for Cartier Awards - Handicappers' Edge
Established in 1991 to reward excellence in horse racing, the Cartier Awards are determined by points earned by horses in Pattern races throughout 2011, combined at the end of the season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists and votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph

Mucho Macho Man returns a winner - Handicappers' Edge
One of only three horses to contest every leg of this year's Triple Crown, Mucho Macho Man returned to the races with a sharp front-running performance at Aqueduct on Wednesday, winning a one-mile optional claimer by a widening 5 3/4-length margin.

Hollywood: Amazombie's 2012 plan ends with BC Sprint | Daily Racing Form
Spawr has sketched a tentative six-start campaign for Amazombie in 2012 that will begin in January and end in the BC Sprint.

Darley doubling Bernardini's fee to $150K | Daily Racing Form
Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum’s Darley Stud announced Thursday that it will double Bernardini’s stud fee, from $75,000 to $150,000, for the 2012 breeding season.