PIMLICO ANNOUNCES FINAL SPRING MEET HANDLE FIGURES
BALTIMORE, 05-26-10---The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course last weekend, posting average wagering figures which were 8.7% lower than comparable dates from 2009. The average daily handle went from $6.854 million to $6.257 million. The spring meet featured 20 live racing dates and 21 simulcast days.
“We expected the numbers to be down based on the Preakness figures, which dictate whether the numbers will be up or down for the meet,” said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. “The build up to this year’s Preakness did not match 2009 when Rachel Alexandra-mania took over the industry. But we were still able to generate the sixth largest handle ever in the 135-year history of the event.”
TOP 11 PREAKNESS DAY HANDLES
Rank Year Overall Handle Preakness
1 2005 $91,028,704 $63,230,573
2 2004 $87,858,878 $59,462,123
3 2006 $87,544,368 $56,394,560
4 2007 $87,194,161 $57,360,494
5 2009 $86,684,470 $59,726,342
6 2010 $79,248,002 $52,766,815
7 2008 $73,457,510 $45,689,562
8 2002 $71,468,223 $42,301,515
9 2003 $64,402,445 $38,468,281
10 2001 $62,575,814 $36,445,762
11 1999 $51,129,000 $34,435,703
Attendance was up nearly 10% at Pimlico as the Preakness crowd increased from 77,850 to 95,760. Performances by Grammy Award winner Zac Brown Band and Platinum selling musical group O.A.R. in the infield contributed to a festive event.
“We are proud of this year’s infield experience and our partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Black-Eyed Susan day which made for an outstanding weekend,” added Chuckas. “Our staff is meeting Friday afternoon to begin planning for the 2011 Preakness. We will look for ways to build on the momentum that began here a week and a half ago.”
-mjc-
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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