Oaklawn Park: Average handle declines for 2012 meet

Average daily all-sources handle for the 56-day Oaklawn Park meet in Hot Springs, Ark., declined 10.2 percent compared to the 49-day meet last year, according to figures provided by the track, though total handle rose 2.5 percent.

The average figure this year was $2,777,371, compared to $3,094,711 last year, when Oaklawn cancelled eight of its first 18 cards because of adverse weather. The track did not cancel any cards this year. Total handle this year for 56 days was $155.5 million, compared to total handle of $151.6 million last year over 49 days.

Ontrack daily handle averaged $759,272, an 8 percent decline compared to last year’s ontrack average of $825,341, according to the figures.

Total purses distributed during the meet was $18 million, according to the track, a 12.5 percent increase over last year’s total distribution of $16 million. Oaklawn raised purses four times during this year’s meet due to higher revenue from a type of slot machine the track operates.

Average attendance was 10,579, a 9.2 percent decline from average attendance last year of 11,649.