Preliminary figures at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races show a 14.56% increase in gross all-sources pari-mutuel handle in 2011.
According to figures released by the West Virginia racetrack Dec. 30, gross all-sources handle, which includes partial cards, was $221,392,855, up from $193,261,857 in 2010. Charles Town raced 232 days in 2011 and 231 days in 2010.
Gross ontrack handle on live races dropped 8.47%, from $14,608,567 in 2010 to $13,332,502 in 2011. Gross export handle, however, increased 16.46% to $208,060,353 from $178,653,614, according to track statistics.
Daily averages, which factor in only full racing programs, had similar percentages. Average daily all-sources handle was a record $954,280.
The winter months in 2011 were particularly strong from a simulcast perspective. Charles Town set records for highest average daily all-sources handle for one month ($1,205,474 in February) and highest total all-sources handle in a month ($26,488,411 in March).
The $1 million Charles Town Classic (gr. III) in April produced the largest single-race handle in track history: $784,267. The race will have grade II status in 2012.
Jeff Runco, with 117 victories, won the training title for the sixth straight year. J.D. Acosta won 177 races to top the jockey standings for the fourth consecutive year.
Charles Town was granted 235 racing days for 2012. The meet begins Jan. 3.
