Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Posted: Jan. 18, 2018
All-sources pari-mutuel handle on live races during the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet increased 7.6% from the corresponding meet in 2016, the New York Racing Association reported Jan. 18.
The all-sources figure was $250,376,535 in 2017 versus $232,645,188 in 2016. NYRA said there were 36 race days in 2017 and 34 in 2016; Aqueduct in 2017 lost four full programs due to weather or track conditions, and five races on another program.
Average daily handle on live races was $6,954,904, up 1.6% from the previous year.
The fall meet, which ran from Nov. 3 to Dec. 31, featured the introduction of a new outer turf course—it replaced the “inner” dirt track used for winter racing—and a renovated 1 1/8-mile main track designed to accommodate year-round racing.
NYRA noted that total handle on Cigar Mile day, which was held a week later than the traditional Saturday after Thanksgiving, was $13,545,188, up 11.8% from 2016.
Based on NYRA figures, wagering on imported signals during the Aqueduct meet was more than $50 million.
On-track wagering as reported by NYRA was $28,099,665 during the Aqueduct meet, up from $27,554,724 for the 2016 meet.
(Aqueduct photo by Coglianese Photos)