Golden Gate Handle declines overall

According to figures released by the track, Golden Gate Fields showed a 6.5 percent decrease in average daily all-sources handle for its 42-day 2009 fall meet compared with its 67-day 2008 meet. The fall meet ran from Oct. 21 to Dec. 20.

Average daily all-source handle - which includes betting on Golden Gate Fields races as well as incoming simulcasts - was $3,253,176, compared with $3,477,494 during the 2008 fall meet.

Daily account-wagering handle was a bright spot, jumping 21 percent instate and 36 percent from out of state.

Ontrack wagering on Golden Gate's races decreased 10.6 percent from a daily average of $202,858 in 2008 to $181,449 in 2009.

"It's just a sign of the times in the industry," Golden Gate Fields's general manager, Robert Hartman, said regarding the drop in handle.

"Our Dollar Day Sundays held up well for both attendance and handle," noted Hartman, "which is a bright spot. The promotion continues to bring out new fans."