Travers Day Handle, Attendance Increase

Saratoga Race Course reported gains in pari-mutuel handle and attendance for its Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (gr. I) program.

Total handle on the 14-race Saratoga card was $41,363,760, up 13% from $36,597,173 for last year's Travers program, the New York Racing Association said. On-track handle was a record $9,672,249, up 11% from $8,741,773 in 2012.

Attendance of 47,597 this year was the largest since 48,894 for the 2004 Travers, NYRA said.

Business improved at NYRA's two other racetracks, which offer full-card Saratoga simulcasts. Handle at Aqueduct Racetrack on the Spa races was $695,266, up 7% from last year, while Belmont Park generated $612,864, an increase of 13% from 2012.

Officials said the pool for the guaranteed $1 million Pick 4 topped $2 million for the first time, with $2,016,700 wagered.