California handle down 10 percent for year through October

Hampered by a decline in racing dates, all-sources handle at California racetracks declined 10 percent through October compared to 2018, according to figures announced at the California Horse Racing Board meeting on Nov. 21.

This year, there were 326 afternoon Thoroughbred programs through October compared to 349 at the same time last year, a decline of 6.5 percent. The have been 155 programs of Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred races at Los Alamitos or harness racing at Sacramento, seven fewer than last year.

All-sources handle at all venues was $2.34 billion compared to $2.6 billion in 2018. The most significant declines occurred in on-track handle which fell 16.8 percent, to $225,498,255, compared to last year.

Santa Anita canceled 13 days of racing in March to renovate and inspect its main track after a series of equine fatalities in late February and early March. The track later canceled Thursday racing from mid-April to mid-June because of a low number of available runners. Los Alamitos canceled racing days at its summer and September meetings because of a low number of available runners.