Handle second-highest for NYRA as Justify takes Triple Crown

Posted: June 10, 2018

The 2018 Belmont Stakes produced the 13th Triple Crown winner in the form of Justify and generated the second-highest one-day pari-mutuel handle in the history of the New York Racing Association.

NYRA officials reported all-sources wagering on the 13-race card was $137,954,895, which is second to the $151,109,373 recorded in 2014 when California Chrome failed in his bid to win the Triple Crown. This year’s number is up 1.6% from 2015, when American Pharoah became the 12th Triple Crown winner.

The Belmont Stakes this year attracted handle of $72,702,815, up 54% from $47,163,773 in 2017 but down 11.8% from $82,437,629 in 2015.

NYRA now tracks total wagering for its three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which includes Thursday and Friday of Belmont week. This year’s handle of $168,975,295 was up 35.4% from $124,740,198 last year and 5% from $161,022,623 in 2015.

Attendance for June 8, Belmont Stakes day, was reported at 90,327. NYRA earlier issued a release saying attendance would be capped at 90,000.

(Belmont Stakes photo by Coglianese Photo/NYRA)