NYRA handle dropped 5 percent in 2023

All-sources handle at New York Racing Association tracks in 2023 was $2,204,653,635, a 5 percent decline from the 2022 figure of $2,321,863,828, according to numbers provided by the company.

There were 196 days of racing held in both years though16 fewer races were conducted in 2023 compared to 2022. There were 98 fewer turf races run in 2023, compared to 2022. The average number of betting interests was relatively the same for both years -- 7.44 in 2023, 7.48 in 2022.

The decline in business came primarily at two of NYRA’s premier meets where inclement weather played a significant factor. At Saratoga, handle was down $78,982,677, or 9 percent, from 2022. In 2023, wet weather forced 66 scheduled turf races to the dirt, compared to 17 the previous summer.

At the Belmont fall meet, which for the second straight year was held at Aqueduct, handle was down $46,241,419, or 19 percent, compared to the 2022 meet. At the 2023 meet, there were 74 turf races run and 34 transferred to the dirt, whereas in 2022 there 107 turf races run with 27 moved to the dirt. There were two fewer cards held at the 2023 meet than in 2022.

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Handle at the Belmont spring/summer meet was down $30,866,423, or 9 percent, compared to 2022 though there were six fewer racing days held in 2023.

Aqueduct’s spring and fall meets saw significant increases in handle. With one additional race week during the spring meet, handle was up $31,282,426, or 27 percent. Average daily handle for that meet was flat.

Aqueduct’s fall meet handle was up $19,850,561, a 9 percent increase over 2022, when two fewer racing days were held. There were three turf races moved to the dirt in both years.

The 2023 Aqueduct winter meet saw a decline in handle of $12,232,663, or 4 percent, in handle from the previous winter even with two more racing days held.

The NYRA has scheduled 195 days of racing in 2024, all to be held at Aqueduct or Saratoga while a renovation of Belmont Park continues. The 2024 Belmont Stakes will be held June 8 at Saratoga as part of a four-day race week (June 6-9) to be held upstate.

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