Dreadful weather contributes to Belmont-at-Aqueduct handle decline

At a meet significantly impacted by weather, all-sources handle at the Belmont at the Big A meet was down 19.4 percent compared to a year ago.

All-sources handle was $192,200,723 compared to $238,442,142 in 2022, according to figures provided by the New York Racing Association. Ontrack handle was $17,1289,736, down 22.4 percent compared to a year ago.

An unprecedented amount of rain forced the NYRA to cancel two racing cards and postpone a third. Thus, over 26 programs, there were 247 races run, compared to 268 races run over 28 cards in 2022.

NYRA conducted 74 turf races with 34 scheduled turf races moved to the main track in 2023. Last year, there 107 turf races run, 27 forced off the turf to the dirt.

Average field size at this meet was 7.65 horses per race compared to 7.76 in 2022.

Manny Franco finished as the leading rider at the meet with 34 wins, three more than both Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. Franco won three races on Sunday’s card, including his 2,000th career victory when he rode Spirit of St Louis to victory in the $200,0000 Mohawk Stakes on Sunday’s Empire Showcase Day card.

Spirit of St Louis was trained by Chad Brown, who finished the meet with 28 wins, six more than trainer Linda Rice. It was the 12th straight year that Brown either won or tied for the Belmont fall title -- the last two years the meet was held at Aqueduct.

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It also ended a streak of five consecutive NYRA meet titles for Rice, who tied Brown for leading honors at Saratoga.

Following Rice in the standings were Todd Pletcher, Rudy Rodriguez, and Mike Maker, each with 11 wins.

Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables finished as the leading owner with 12 wins, six more than Barry Schwartz. Michael Dubb and Godolphin Stable tied for third with five wins each.

The 31-day Aqueduct fall meet opens on Thursday.

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