Opening Day Attendance, Handle Up at Del Mar

Del Mar's opening day July 15, on a Friday for the first time since the 1970s, saw an increase in attendance and all-sources handle, but a decrease in on-track handle.

The 42,562 who attended the 10-race card at the seaside racetrack made it the 10th-largest crowd in Del Mar history, but they wagered nearly $400,000 less than last year's Thursday opening-day card. On-track wagering Friday was $3,395,116, compared with $3,791,454 in 2015.

All-sources handle, however, was up 6.7% from $15,339,177 in 2015 to $16,374,236.

"I thought there would be a bump (moving from a Thursday opening to a Friday)," said Del Mar president and chief executive officer Joe Harper. "Fridays are just usually better than Thursdays. I'm really happy with the numbers. Anything that's up is good. It's a great crowd. It's young, it's happy, it's scantily attired."

As for the traditionally long lines at the betting windows, which is a common complaint about opening days at Del Mar, Harper said those challenges come with the territory.

"We use as many clerks as we can find and put out as many self-service machines as we can find," Harper said. "The fact is, it's always the longest transaction time and lowest ticket value (of the season). It's not a very efficient way to run a mutuel department, but that's what we've got here. What do you do?"

The lone incident on the racetrack Friday was the breakdown and death of Presidential Air in the sixth race, a $20,000 maiden claiming event for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. The 3-year-old Unusual Heat filly broke down in the stretch and was euthanized on the track. Bred in California, out of the Skywalker mare Air Force One, she was trained by Kenneth Nettles and made her ninth start Friday. Jockey Brandon Boulanger, who rode the filly, came out of the fall without serious injury.