NYRA Reports Record Handle for Saratoga Meet

The New York Racing Association reports record handle of $648,272,805 for its 2015 Saratoga Race Course meet that concluded Sept. 7, reflecting a 13.5% increase in all-source wagering activity compared with last year.

The record wagering shattered the previous high from 2012 of $590,187,876, which included international settlements that have yet to be recorded for the 2015 Saratoga meet. On-track handle also set a record of $157,647,599, surpassing the previous high of $150,637,998 in 2012.

Those 2012 records were set at a 41-day meet, which was one more day than this year's meet. The 2015 meet was contested over 40 days, as was last year's meet. That means the daily total wagering average of $16,206,820 also was up 13.5% compared with last year.       

In addition, the 2015 meet concluded with record purses, a double-digit increase in revenue derived from dining and concessions, an increase in paid attendance, and a series of new enhancements and attractions at the historic venue, NYRA reported.

According to The Jockey Club Information Services, purses improved 1.5% to $42,023,320 ($1,050,583 daily). Both meets offered 413 races.

This year's average runners per race was 8.36, up from last year's 7.97. Impacting that number were 211 turf races this year as just 10 were taken off the turf due to course conditions caused by inclement weather. Last year there there were 193 turf races as 30 were taken off the turf.

The 2015 Saratoga season saw a record $19 million in stakes purses, topped by a blockbuster Travers Day Saturday, Aug. 29, featuring Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, six grade I races and a grade II for a total of seven graded stakes worth nearly a combined $5.5 million on the afternoon.

"The 2015 season at Saratoga Race Course was truly fabulous and is one which we won't soon forget. Our fans enjoyed 40 days of world-class Thoroughbred racing, spectacular weather and a series of guest enhancements to this venerable sporting venue," said NYRA president Chris Kay. "All of us at the New York Racing Association are deeply appreciative of the support we have received from the owners, trainers, jockeys, stakeholders, fans, and the community as a whole during this historic season at Saratoga. Their dedication to the industry and love for the sport continue to cement Saratoga as the premier race meet in North America."

Saratoga recorded a 13.8% increase in revenue derived from dining, concessions and merchandise. The strong revenue gains corresponded with an increase in paid attendance. Total paid attendance for the 2015 Saratoga meet was 1,065,625, an average of 26,641, up 9.63% from last year's average of 24,300.

Many will consider the signature moment of the meet the 2015 Travers when a paid, sold-out crowd of 50,000 fans gathered to watch the first Triple Crown champion compete at Saratoga Race Course in 37 years. Twenty-four hours earlier, American Pharoah's visit to the Spa brought an unprecedented 15,000 racing fans to the track to watch the Triple Crown champion gallop as he prepared for the Travers.

While American Pharoah finished second to Keen Ice, the appearance of the Triple Crown champion alongside the supercharged card resulted in an all-time Travers Day all-source wagering record of $49,668,754, a 24.5% increase over 2014.



"On behalf of the men and women of the New York Racing Association and the fans of our great sport, I again would like to express my deep and abiding appreciation to owner Ahmed Zayat, his son and racing manager, Justin, and Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert, for bringing 'the people's horse' to Saratoga," said Kay. "We wish the Zayats, Bob and their champion colt the best of luck as they train toward the Breeders' Cup, culminating a historic and unforgettable campaign."

 

Statistics for the 2015 Saratoga meet are as follows: