Del Mar: Pick six carryovers spur business increase

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DEL MAR, Calif. - Pick six carryovers and larger field sizes than last year have translated into strong business for Del Mar as the track passes the midpoint of the season with increases in both overall and ontrack handle through Sunday, encompassing the first four weeks of the meet.

Del Mar is averaging $12,817,181 in overall daily handle, an increase of 11.3 percent from the same time frame a year ago. The ontrack handle is averaging $2,472,807 per day, an increase of 7.4 percent from the first four weeks of 2012.

The handle totals should get another boost on Wednesday, when Del Mar benefits from having the fourth straight Wednesday card with a pick six carryover from Sunday’s races.

Field size is likely a large contributor to the handle increase. Del Mar is averaging 8.6 runners per race compared to 8.4 a year ago.

Ontrack attendance is down 4.7 percent from last year, averaging 17,939 patrons per day.