With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.
The New York Racing Association reported on-track handle of $2,296,972, up 13% from $2,031,127 in 2011. An additional $325,931 was wagered via simulcasting at Aqueduct Racetrack. All-sources handle of $14,444,665 represented an increase of 10.7% from last year’s figure of $13,046,748. A total $776,388 was wagered into the $500,000 Guaranteed All Graded Stakes Pick 4, the first time this wager was offered on Met Mile Day.
This year’s attendance of 10,577 was a 15.7% increase from last year’s attendance of 9,144.
Met Mile Day consisted of 11 races this year, the same as last year. This year’s card had 87 betting interests, compared to 88 betting interests last year. Last year’s Met Mile Day featured two graded stakes--the Met Mile and the Sands Point (gr. II)—while this year’s card had four graded stakes, three of which had grade I designation.
On the track, Shackleford held off a fast-closing Caleb's Posse to win the Met Mile, Contested won the Acorn (gr. I), It's Tricky took the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I), and Better Lucky won the Sands Point.
Shackleford wins the Met Mile.
