Officials at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races said March 1 the track registered a record for average monthly handle in February.
Average daily handle for 20 live race days in February was $1,205,461, which broke the previous record by nearly 12%. Charles Town also closed February by handling $1 million or more for 15 consecutive live racing programs, which more than doubled the previous high of six successive live days with seven-figure pari-mutuel handle.
“Through our major stakes events, presence on television, the availability of free streaming video, and replays on our website as well as other strategic moves, we’re reaching out to racing fans, and they are responding,” Erich Zimny, director of racing operations at the West Virginia track, said in a statement. “The brand of racing at Charles Town is branching out, becoming more visible, and we’re seeing the results.”
Aided by a shift in live racing from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday night, Charles Town has seen its export handle grow significantly in 2011. Through the first two months of this year, Charles Town’s average daily export handle has grown nearly $250,000 per day versus 2010, which has more than offset a dip in average daily live handle of $3,100 per day.
Charles Town currently races five days week (Tuesdays through Saturdays) with first post time of 7:15 p.m. Eastern.