Del Mar posted healthy handle numbers across the board during its first five days of racing from Wednesday, July 18 through Sunday, July 22.
On-track handle posted an 8% gain over 2011 with a daily average figure of $2,649,568. Also up was Southern California ITW and ADW handle, which increased 2.4% to an average of $3,623,918. Out-of-state handle rose 1.9% to $5,470,061. Overall, the seaside Southern California facility realized a wagering gain of 2.4% with a daily average handle of $12,227,863.
Track figures also included a hefty 17.8% rise in per capita wagering on track. The amount of $123.42 per head was up from the 2011 number of $104.73 per head.
The track saw a dip in its on-track attendance to start the meet of 8.4% when lined up against its 2011 numbers, which included a notable giveaway that is scheduled for later in the 2012 session. After five days the 2012 daily average crowd was 21,467. Del Mar established a single-day attendance record on its opening day when 47,339 racing fans turned out for the racing card.
Del Mar’s 37-day meet will run through Wednesday, Sept. 5.