Bay Meadows numbers mixed

All-sources daily handle on live races at the recently concluded Bay Meadows meet declined 2.4 percent, with a drop in out-of-state wagering offsetting an increase within the state.

The average daily all-sources handle on live races at this year's 33-day Bay Meadows meet, which ended Oct. 16, fell to $3,604,151 this year, down from $3,691,566 at 2004's 49-day meet.

Average daily ontrack handle on Bay Meadows races was up 2.3 percent, reaching $472,046 this year, compared with $461,529 in 2004.

Wagers placed, ontrack and off, in California on Bay Meadows races rose 4.9 percent, from $2,025,989 in 2004 to $2,126,189 this year. Out-of-state wagering on Bay Meadows races declined 11.3 percent, however, from $1,665,577 in 2004 to $1,477,962 this fall.

Including wagers on imported simulcasts, average all-sources handle increased 5.9 percent, to $4,689,771 from $4,426,671 in 2004. Average ontrack handle on both live and simulcast races was $724,152, up 14.1 percent from $634,830 last year.

Average daily ontrack attendance rose 37.7 percent to 3,665, compared with 2,662 in 2004.

On the track, Russell Baze won his 34th riding title at Bay Meadows with 56 victories. Roberto Gonzalez, in second place, had 30 wins. Jerry Hollendorfer, led trainers at Bay Meadows for the 31st meet, saddling 36 winners, 12 more than second-place Art Sherman.