Atlantic City handle up sharply

All-sources handle for the six-day race meet at Atlantic City Race Course in New Jersey was up 19.5 percent compared with the all-sources figure for a six-day meet last year, according to figures provided by the track.

Total handle was $3,894,822, compared with $3,259,953 last year, for an average of $649,137 per day this year, compared with an average of $543,326 last year. Ontrack handle was up 24.2 percent, according to racing officials, and out-of-state handle increased 18 percent, from $2,488,710 last year to $2,937,074 this year.

Atlantic City's signal was available at approximately 60 out-of-state sites this year, compared with 20 sites last year, according to track officials, explaining the surge in export handle.

The track held six races for its first five race days, and seven races on closing day, all on turf. Average field size was 10.1 horses per race, down almost half a horse from average field size of 10.5 horses per race last year. Purse distribution was approximately $125,000 a day.

The track said that 34,818 attended the races over the meet, for a daily average of 5,803.

Atlantic City has held brief, all-turf meets for the past decade. Under New Jersey law, the track cannot conduct full-card simulcasting year-round unless it holds a minimum number of live race dates.