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Average daily handle jumps nearly 10 percent at Belmont spring/summer meet

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that the recently concluded Belmont Park spring/summer meet generated $14,746,421 in average daily handle, a 9.7 percent increase over 2022.

Originally scheduled for 40 days of live racing, NYRA was forced to cancel two cards due to poor air quality caused by wildfires in Canada. All-sources handle for the 38-day spring/summer meet totaled $560,363,986, which compares to $591,250,409 in 2022 when the meet was contested over 44 days. 

The blockbuster June 10 Belmont Stakes Day card, highlighted by Arcangelo’s victory in the 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, generated all-sources handle of $118,283,455, a NYRA record for a non-Triple Crown year.

Average field size for the 368 races run during the 2023 spring/summer meet was 7.60, a 3.4 percent increase over 2022 when average field size was 7.35. Of the 368 races held during the spring/summer meet, 187 were on the main track and 181 on the turf. Fourteen races were forced off the turf due to rain.

Highlighted by the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 5, the 2023 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will continue through Monday, September 4.

Saratoga Live will present daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.