Pimlico meet sees higher daily handle

Daily average handle at the 37-day Pimlico spring meet increased 9.7 percent, according to figures released by the Maryland Jockey Club on Monday.

Pimlico betting averaged almost $5.2 million per day, up from just over $4.7 million a year ago. The figures include the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan cards, which are dramatically higher than the other days of the meet.

Total handle at the meet was up 25.5 percent to $207.1 million, as Pimlico raced two more days this year than in 2014.

Betting on the Preakness card was up 1.6 percent this year, from $83.8 million to $85.2 million. The gain came despite a 10 percent drop in handle on the Preakness Stakes, which declined from $58.6 million last year to $52.7 million in 2015. Much of the decline can be attributed to a powerful thunderstorm that blew into the area 20 minutes before the Preakness, lowering visibility and turning the track from fast to sloppy.

Handle on the Black-Eyed Susan card, the day before the Preakness, climbed 48 percent this year, from $12.5 million to $18.5 million.
Pimlico’s handle gains come on the heels of the Laurel winter meet, which was up 14.6 percent in average daily handle, from $1.5 million in 2014 to $1.76 million this year.

“The numbers once again support our belief that there is potential for the Thoroughbred industry in Maryland to grow and prosper,” said Sal Sinatra, general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. “Improvements to both of our facilities, listening to fans, and the support we have received from the horsemen have all helped in generating more interest in our sport and the industry.”

McCarthy tops rider standings

Trevor McCarthy won a tight jockeys' race at the meet, winning 35 races, one more than Victor Carrasco, and two more than Jevian Toledo.

Apprentice Nik Juarez was fourth in the standings with 28 wins.

Jamie Ness was the leading trainer at Pimlico with 25 victories, four more than runner-up Kieron Magee. Hamilton Smith was third in the standings with 13 wins.