Preakness Handle Rises to a Record $71 million

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The total all-sources handle for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) reached $71,468,223, a 14% increase over last year, according to the Maryland Jockey Club.

Even without considering separate pools, the total commingled handle of $64,498,419 exceeded last yearês record total (including separate pools) of $62,728,672.

"It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and we couldn't be more pleased with the results," said Joe De Francis, president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Other wagering highlights of the day included:

* Wagering on Preakness day's 13-race card at Pimlico Race Course and its five off track betting facilities generated $10,403,781, a 1% increase over last year's $10,308,817,

* Out-of-state wagering on the dayês card set a Pimlico record of $56,728,666, an 18% increase over the $48,027,666 wagered in 2001,

* Betting on the Preakness Stakes alone, including in-state and out-of-state wagering, shot up to $47,695,192, a 17.2% increase over last year's $40,694,884.

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