Rainy Belmont Meet Suffers Decrease in Handle

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On-track attendance was up 2.8% at the Belmont Park spring meeting but on-track and total handle both suffered decreases, the New York Racing Association reported.

Total attendance for the 55-day meet was 478,187, a slight increase from last year's total of 465,220. Total handle, including on-track simulcasting, was $671,759,185, down 1.6% from last year's total of $682,430,355. On-track handle, which includes simulcasting, dipped 1% to $106,301,408.

"Considering all the factors, the meet went well," said Terry Meyocks, NYRA president. "Obviously weather was a negative factor for the majority of the meet.

"What probably would have been the biggest Belmont Stakes day ever was one of the worst weather days in recent memory. That was a shame for our fans."

Total handle on Belmont races fell 2.4% from $657,789,145 to $642,782,455. On-track handle on Belmont races decreased 6.5% from last year to $77,324,678.

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