Maryland Racing Seeing Handle Increases

The Nov. 19 "Fall Festival of Racing" card at Laurel Park, saw a 19.6% increase in handle compared with the 2015 edition.

Saturday's 11-race program, featuring the $250,000 De Francis Dash (gr. III), generated a total handle of $4.513 million, compared to $3.775 million in 2015. In-state handle—bolstered by the expansion of the Maryland Jockey Club's off-track betting facilities—was up 16.4%.

The increases for the Fall Festival continued a trend in the Maryland. Total handle on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day card Oct. 22 was up 18.5% over the previous year and 59.8% over 2014.

Earlier this year, the Preakness (gr. I) card at Pimlico Race Course set records in total handle ($94.127 million) and attendance (135,256). Black-Eyed Susan Day also had increases over the previous year with total handle of $18.661 million compared to $17.815 in 2015.

The Maryland Jockey Club expects to take in $425 million in total handle this year, an increase from $355 million in 2015 and $296 million in 2014.

"We were pleased with Saturday's handle, as well as the crowd that came out to watch a great race card," said Sal Sinatra, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. "We want to thank everyone who came out and enjoyed our renovated facility, those who bet the program online or at simulcast facilities, and those who came out for the Brew & Bourbon Festival. We also want to thank horsemen locally and nationally who continue to support our program."