Attendance and On-Track Wagering Increases At Saratoga Race Course

[/caption]We're halfway through the 2011 meet at Saratoga Race Course and fans are proving that horseracing is alive and well in the Capital Region.

On-track wagering at Saratoga Race Course continues to climb compared to 2010 totals while attendance is up slightly and all-sources handle down a fraction through week four (22 days) of the meet, according to The New York Racing Association (NYRA).

Attendance through week four (22 days) was 474,254, up 2.0% from 465,181 in 2010.

On-track handle totaled $66,610,255, up 7.9% from $61,705,156 last year.

All-sources handle, which includes wagers on Saratoga races both on-track and from simulcast outlets nationwide, was $291,181,532, down less than one percent from $293,259,011 in 2010.

Average betting interests per race through week three were 8.4 (1,835 total) compared to 8.5 (1,806 total) for the first 22 days of 2010. Turf races totaled 92 with 13 taken off the turf, compared to 98 on and 13 off in 2010.