Average handle dips at Golden Gate

SAN MATEO, Calif. - The daily average handle at Golden Gate Fields slipped a bit for the 2002-2003 season, although the gross handle showed an increase for the 104-day meeting, thanks to three additional days of live racing.

Total handle for the meet that ended March 30 increased 2.7 percent to $483 million, compared to last year's $470 million. The overall average daily handle was down 0.3 percent from $4,658,000 to $4,644,000. Advance deposit wagers nearly offset minor declines at the track, at Northern California satellite facilities, and at other sites outside California.