Pimlico Reports Big Decline in Total Handle

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Total handle at Pimlico Race Course was down by 14.6% at summer-fall meeting, which concluded Sunday.

The Maryland Jockey Club reported sizeable declines in in-state live handle (24.6%) and in simulcast wagering to out-of-state locations (21.3%) during the 23-day meeting. Total in-state wagering was off by 9.4%.

Total wagering was $69,394,670, compared to $81,265,642 last year.

"Our numbers were adversely affected by weather, especially Hurricane Isabel, which forced us to miss two live days," said Lou Raffetto, chief operating officer for the Maryland Jockey Club, in a prepared statement. "We were also up against different competition from a year ago, specifically Monmouth Park. It had a negative impact on us, especially with our export signal, which has been strong all year."

Field size declined slightly from 8.43 to 8.23.

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