Business Brisk On Saratoga's Opening Day

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Photo: Coglianese Photos

Business was brisk as Saratoga opened July 22 with increases in attendance, on-track handle, and total handle over 2010 totals.

Opening-day attendance of 25,155 was up 8.5% from last year’s rain-soaked 23,178.

On-track handle for the 10-race Saratoga card totaled $3,551,745, a 13.4% increase over $3,130,756 on opening day 2010.

Wagering at the downstate Belmont Café and Aqueduct Racetrack simulcast facilities was $407,383, resulting in combined handle of $3,959,128, up 18.5% from $3,341,842 last year. 

All-sources handle, which includes wagers on Saratoga races both on-track and from simulcast outlets nationwide, was $15,871,449, up 18.9% from $13,349,050 in 2010.

“These handle increases of 13.4% on track and 18.9% all sources are very encouraging, and we expect a big opening weekend here at Saratoga,” said NYRA president and CEO Charles Hayward. 

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