Hegarty: August Handle down <3%

[Kasept]

Matt Hegarty reports in DRF this a.m. that the anticipated summer wagering decline wasn't all that bad...

http://www.drf.com/news/article/98124.html

Wagering during August was $1,389,600,847 compared to wagering of $1,428,242,200 in August of last year, a decline of approximately $39 million, according to the figures. The figures seem to contradict anecdotal evidence that racing is suffering from a dramatic midsummer decline in business.

[theiman]

Whats up at Belmont?

Wed Sunny 72 Attendance 3,280 on track handle $708K
Today Cloudy 70 Attendance 2,659 on track handle $669K(with c/o of $202K)

Did the Florida Marlins management take over Belmont?

Will wait for the September numbers on CNBC, Rick Santelli will be releasing them from the paddock at the end of the month.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

You just realized that no one goes to the track anymore unless it's Saratoga or Del Mar?

You mean NYRA tracks aren't the only ones with low attendance? It's hard to tell since they are the only ones that still release the numbers. I'm sure the other tracks don't release them because they don't want to embarrass NY.

[theiman]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

You just realized that no one goes to the track anymore unless it's Saratoga or Del Mar?

What about all of the people who wear suits and work for NYRA, do they still bother showing up? Is there anything for them to do at this meet?

By the way you left Keeneland off your list.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

You mean NYRA tracks aren't the only ones with low attendance? It's hard to tell since they are the only ones that still release the numbers. I'm sure the other tracks don't release them because they don't want to embarrass NY.

That's exactly why

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

After I responded to the troll, I went and tried to find attendance numbers for tracks running this week. Of the "major" tracks, Belmont, Monmouth, Fairplex (not everyday), Suffolk, Mountaineer and Presque Isle were the only tracks that released their numbers.

No Arlington, Calder, Delaware, Laurel, Lousiana, Turway, Woodbine, etc. Unfortunately, as everyone except for theiman knows by now, people would rather bet from home or OTB. And like you said, tracks are too embarassed to release the numbers.

And Presque Isle and Mountaineer have slots....which I'm sure don't affect attendance. Does Suffolk as well?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

They were the 2 that stuck out to me and I thought the same thing. I'm not sure about Suffolk. I was a little surprised to see fairplex got something like 5,000 people the other day, but I'm not sure how accurate that is either.

Fairplex is a fair, so a lot of people come for that and pop over for a few races. It's pretty popular, despite the terrible racing.