TurfPublicists: ON-TRACK HANDLE DIPS, ALL-SOURCES HOLDS STEADY AT SARATOGA

Monday, August 16, 2010

Contact: Dan Silver

ON-TRACK HANDLE DIPS, ALL-SOURCES HOLDS STEADY AT SARATOGA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While attendance and handle continue to trend downward as the 2010 Saratoga Race Course meet moves into its second half, total wagering remains nearly steady since fewer races have been run compared to 2009.

· Attendance for the first three full weeks of the meet (18 days, Days 5 through 22) was 392,729, down 10.7 percent from 439,713 for the first 18 days of the 2009 meet, with a daily average of 21,818 compared to 24,429. (*See note on attendance below.)

· On-track handle for the three weeks totaled $51,622,295, down 10.7 percent from $57,813,284 for 2009’s first three weeks, with a daily average of $2,867,905 compared to $3,211,849.

· All-sources handle (which combines wagers on Saratoga races both on-track and from simulcast outlets nationwide) for the three weeks was $241,921,264, down 4.8 percent from $254,161,740 in 2009, with a daily average of $13,440,070 compared to $14,120,097.

Six fewer races were run during the three-week period than in 2009 (174 vs. 180), a 3.3 percent decrease roughly proportionate to the 4.8 decline in all-sources handle.

Average betting interests per race for the first three full weeks of the meet were 8.47 compared to 8.66 in 2009 (totals 1,474 vs. 1,558).

“We’re gratified by the results of the meet so far and we’re confident of a strong second half with our signature stakes and biggest days still ahead,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “The field for this Saturday’s Betfair TVG Alabama looks stunning and promises to be the best three-year-old filly race of the year.”

Daily average attendance for the first 22 days of the meet is 21,145, average on-track handle is $2,804,780 and average all-sources handle is $13,329,955. Average betting interests per race over the 22 days were 8.48 with 98 turf races and 13 taken off the turf.

* Note: Attendance figures for Giveaway Days include patrons who pay multiple admissions to obtain more than one giveaway item, either at the track entrance or at the multiple admissions area inside the track. There have been two Giveaway Days so far in 2010 and two through the first three weeks in 2009.

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