Total on-track attendance was off 1.6%, averaging 2,991 so far in 2006. Average starters increased 2.7% to 7.96 per race compared to 7.63 in 2005.
On-track handle was up 8.9% for the New York Racing Association at Aqueduct during the first three months of 2006 and average daily handle on NYRA races only improved 2.7% from $8,225,983 to $8,438,303.On-track handle totaled $69,294,871 during the first quarter, compared to $63,641,058 a year ago. There was one additional day of racing for the period in 2006."The weather this winter was favorable and the racing offered solid, competitive fields vying for the best purse structure on the East Coast," said Bill Nader, NYRA senior vice president. "We hope to continue this positive momentum when racing shifts to Belmont Park next month."
