Belmont average handle increases

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Daily average total handle rose at the recently concluded 33-day Belmont Park fall meet, while daily average on track wagering was down.

Daily average total handle on Belmont races increased by 4.2 percent to $10,686,231 from $10,253,952 during the 31-day meet in 2001. Total handle, including simulcast imports, rose by 4.3 percent.

Figures from Breeders' Cup Day 2001 were not included in the calculations. Daily average ontrack handle dipped 4.5 percent from $1,352,046 to $1,291,008.

The daily average attendance of 6,122 was less than 1 percent below last year.