HANDLE AND ATTENDANCE POST BIG GAINS ON NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY

Saturday, October 23, 2010

 

Contact: Dan Silver

dsilver@nyrainc.com

 

 

HANDLE AND ATTENDANCE POST BIG GAINS ON NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY

 

ELMONT, N.Y. – On a picturesque New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park that saw Friend Or Foe score a front-running victory in the 35^th running of the $200,000 Empire Classic, handle and attendance figures easily eclipsed last year’s numbers.

 

All-sources handle was $12,338,516, up 14 percent from last year’s all-sources handle of $10,818,016. On-track handle was $1,290,396, up 40.8 percent from the $916,572 wagered on track last year.

 

This year’s attendance of 5,452 outpaced last year’s attendance of 4,180 by 30.4 percent.

 

“New York Showcase Day is always one of the highlights of the year,” said NYRA Executive VP and COO Hal Handel. “We had outstanding racing with seven contentious New York-bred stakes that resulted in strong wagering activity both on the grounds and around the country.”

 

In addition to the on-track activity, NYRA celebrated the Empire State’s food, wine and crafts with vendors located on the first floor of the Clubhouse and Grandstand.

 

Belmont Park’s spacious backyard hosted an Autumn Carnival that featured a scavenger hunt, a hayride and pumpkin patch, face painting, a pumpkin carver, pony rides and much more.

 

New York Showcase Day was sponsored by VisitNassauCounty.com and the New York Lottery.

 

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