MJC Reports Handle Increase at Laurel Meet
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Photo: Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Racing at Laurel Park
Total pari-mutuel handle during the Laurel Park summer meet that ended Aug. 21 increased 20.2% from the comparable meet in 2015, according to Maryland Jockey Club statistics.
For 24 racing programs, handle totaled $63.2 million compared with $52.6 million for the same number of days in 2015.
The MJC since last year has expanded its off-track betting network with outlets in Timonium and Boonsboro.
"We continue to buck industry trends and see increases in our product," MJC president and general manager Sal Sinatra said. "Horsemen continue to support our growing program with great racing and large fields. Fans are also taking note of our great racing and world-class turf course.
"We continue to make fan-friendly improvements to our facility while engaging bettors. We will soon begin a Sunday championship challenge handicapping contest, double reward point contests on Sunday football, and our new sports bar will soon be completed."
Purses averaged $281,244 per day, up 13.3% from the 2015 summer meet.
Laurel will reopen for live racing Sept. 9. The meet, which extends through Dec. 31, features about $4 million in stakes.
"We believe our field size and the turf racing across our world-class course will be outstanding," Sinatra said.