Considering a Triple Crown was not on the line, the New York Racing Association reported some solid numbers for the June 8 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) day card at Belmont Park.
NYRA reported total pari-mutuel handle for the 13-race card of $88,652,023, which was down 8.1% compared with last year but up 9% compared with 2011. Last year likely benefitted from a Triple Crown run from I'll Have Another , even though he was scratched from the Belmont one day before the race.
More than 24 hours of rain gave way early Saturday morning to a day that eventually provided sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s. A reported crowd of 47,562 turned out for the day's races, which included six stakes.
The attendance figure was down 44.6% compared with last year and is the lowest figure since 45,243 turned out and watched Drosselmeyer win the 2010 Belmont.
With the drop in attendance, on-track handle was down 22.3% to $10,700,326 compared with last year.
The day enjoyed some equine star power. Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Oxbow both started in the Belmont, and multiple grade I winner Point of Entry won on the undercard. It helped to generate interest in a Belmont Park record Pick 4 handle of $2,918,807. Bettors also wagered $1,203,177 on the Pick 6.
