Opening Week at Saratoga Sees Double-Digit Gains

Four days of gorgeous weather at Saratoga Race Course created some rather beautiful numbers for the New York Racing Association.

Though there was rain for the first race of the meet, sunshine was the order of the day afterward, leading to 18% gains in wagering and 10% in attendance.

Through the first four days of the 40-day meet, the all-sources handle stands at $106,401,827 (up 18.1%), with an on-track handle of $17,401,827 (up 18.5%) from 103,254 (up 10%) in paid attendance.

A year ago, the first four days of the meet produced figures of $90,112,255 in all-sources wagering with an on-track handle of $14,394,438 and 94,078 in attendance.

The 2021 meet came to an end with NYRA setting an all-time wagering record of $815,508,063 and drawing 1,046,478 in attendance.

"Fan interest and engagement with the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is at an all-time high. We saw that on display throughout Opening Weekend presented by Runhappy, which generated record wagering handle and a 10% increase in paid attendance," NYRA CEO and president Dave O'Rourke said. "Saratoga stands apart as a destination that continues to grow in popularity, and we thank the fans for their enthusiastic support of the summer meet. Beyond the gates, NYRA is pleased to play a central role in driving tourism and economic activity throughout upstate New York. We look forward to all that lies ahead this summer at the Spa."