Opening week handle dips 6.4 percent from a year ago

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - All sources handle for opening week at the Belmont At the Big A meet was $35,780,104, down 6.4 percent from last year’s figure of $38,234,761 when Belmont’s fall meet was also conducted at Aqueduct.

There were 38 races run during opening week at this year’s meet compared to 40 last year. All 19 scheduled turf races were run on turf this year just as all 20 scheduled turf races remained on turf last year.

Average field size so far this meet has been 7.89 with 300 betting interests compared to 7.73 with 309 betting interests last year.

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