Golden Gate Fields reported Dec. 21 that the Northern California track enjoyed double-digit percentage increases in daily on-track handle and on-track attendance during the 2011 fall meeting.
The meet ran for 36 days from Oct. 20 through Dec. 18, six fewer days than in 2010.
The average daily on-track handle during the 2011 fall meeting was $392,821, up 13.86% over the 2010 daily average of $344,994. Total on-track handle at the 2011 fall meeting was $14,141,548, just $348,199 less (-2.4%) than the $14,489,747 wagered during the longer 2010 fall session.
Field size was no doubt a factor in the improved on-track totals. The fall 2011 average field was 7.33 horses compared to 6.76 in 2010.
The average daily handle from wagers placed at Northern California off-track betting facilities was also up, $862,746 compared to $803,891, an increase of 7.32%.
However, out-of-state wagering was down by a daily average of 8.2% ($1,212,495 in 2010 versus $1,112,618 this year). That left the average total handle from traditional sources on race days just about even at $2,368,185 in 2011, an incremental increase of 0.29% from 2010's average total of $2,361,380.
Total out-of-state hande in 2011 was $40,054,255 compared to $50,924,820 last year. Total handle in 2011 was $85,254,663 compared to last year's figure of $99,177,971.
Average daily on-track attendance at the 2011 fall season was 2,226, up 12.77% from the 2010 daily average of 1,974.
“We’re very pleased with the on-track figures at the fall meeting,” said Joe Morris, vice president and interim general manager of Golden Gate Fields. “This gives us momentum heading into the 2011-2012 winter/spring season, which will feature a two percent increase in purses across the board and an increase of $150,000 in our stakes program.”
Golden Gate Fields will open its 2011-2012 season on Monday, Dec. 26. The 101-day meeting will run through June 17.