Belmont biz figs tally gains
 

Despite running two fewer days, total and on-track year-over-year handle and attendance increased at the 2014 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which ran 54 days from May 1 through July 13. All-sources handle on NYRA races was $592 million, up 4 percent from $569.6 million in 2013. On-track handle* on NYRA races was $84.6 million, up 8 percent from $78.5 million in 2013.

Attendance at Belmont Park for the spring/summer meet was up 7 percent this year, growing from 302,512 from 282,488 in 2013. For the 54 days of the meet, there were 509 races run this year compared to 542 for 56 days in 2013.

Average betting interests per race were 7.5 (3,828 total) in 2014 compared to 7.8 (4,213 total) in 2013. Turf races were 210 with 39 taken off the turf, compared to 234 with 48 taken off the turf in 2013.

In addition to this year's Belmont Stakes Day which set records for handle and featured a revamped, enhanced race card featuring 10 graded stakes races with $8 million in purses, The New York Racing Association also debuted a second, "must-see" event over the 4th of July weekend - the Stars & Stripes. With a $3.25 million purse and five stakes races, this festival featured an enhanced racing card, in addition to family-friendly activities and a food truck showcase. Belmont attendance for those three days rose 33%, and total handle rose 18% over last year.

Below are the totals for the 2014 Belmont Park spring/summer meeting compared to 2013:

Racing Days
54 in 2014, 56 in 2013

Belmont Park Attendance
Up 7.1 percent (302,512 vs. 282,488)

Aqueduct Attendance
Up .4 percent (127,531 vs. 126,974)

On-Track Handle* (including simulcast races)
Up 1 percent ($150,038,884 vs. $148,438,004)

On-Track Handle* (just NYRA races)
Up 8 percent ($84,626,885 vs. $78,472,865)

Total Handle (just NYRA races)
Up 4 percent ($591,988,055 vs. $569,604,236)

NYRA Rewards Wagering

Phone down 23 percent ($11,584,568 vs. $15,007,849)
Internet up 10 percent ($32,659,312 vs. $29,633,033)
Aqueduct Wagering up 2 percent ($38,124,471 vs. $37,385,576)

* Please note that NYRA on-track wagering numbers include handle wagered on-track at Belmont Park, through NYRA Rewards account wagering, and at Aqueduct's Longshots simulcast center.

How many season passes were used?

This year had a huge day on Belmont Stakes day with records or near records in wagering and attendance. Last year that day was pretty low in those respects. No TC shot and there may well have been across the board declines. Not good. My wallet looks forward to return to Belmont.