Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Contact: Dan Silver
dsilver@nyrainc.com
HANDLE AND ATTENDANCE POST INCREASES AT BELMONT’S FALL MEET
ELMONT, N.Y. – Belmont Park’s 2010 fall championship meeting saw increases in all-sources handle, on-track handle, and attendance, with totals and daily averages up from last year.
With two more live racing days in 2010 (35 this year, 33 in 2009), total all-sources handle was up 11% ($305 million compared to $274 million), total on-track handle was up 17.1% ($40.8 million this year compared to $34.9 million), and total attendance was up 11.4% (127,540 people as compared to 114,519).
Daily averages for all-sources handle, on-track handle, and attendance posted increases of 4.6%, 10.4%, and 5%, respectively.
“We were very encouraged with the recently concluded Belmont fall championship meet,” NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. “The racing was terrific, highlighted by Jockey Club Gold Cup Day and New York Showcase Day, and fans responded very positively as reflected by the increased handle and attendance. With construction set to begin soon on Genting’s Resorts World New York casino at Aqueduct Racetrack, it’s an exciting time for everyone involved in New York racing.”
Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.
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