TurfPublicists: SPA WAGERING UP DOUBLE DIGITS AFTER OPENING WEEKEND

Monday, July 23, 2012

Contacts: Dan Silver

SPA WAGERING UP DOUBLE DIGITS AFTER OPENING WEEKEND

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – On track handle, total handle and attendance posted increases from 2011 after four days of racing at Saratoga, according to The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

Attendance for the first week was 75,369, up 2.0 percent from 73,875 in 2011.

On-track handle for the week totaled $12,731,605, up 14.2 percent from $11,146,737 last year.

Wagering downstate at Belmont Café and the Aqueduct simulcast center was $2,278,248 for a combined on-track handle of $15,009,853, up 14.9 percent from $13,068,910 in 2011.

All-sources handle, which includes wagers on Saratoga races both on-track and from simulcast outlets nationwide, was $63,688,669, up 12.3 percent from $56,688,557 last year.

Average betting interests per race were 9.0 (368 total) compared to 8.4 (334 total) in 2011. Turf races totaled 22 with none taken off the turf compared to 16 on and four off in 2011.

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