Saratoga business still well above last year’s

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though ontrack business dipped slightly during the fifth week of the meet, Saratoga continues to show double-digit increases in all-sources handle compared to last year.

Through the first 28 days (through Monday) of the 40-day meet, all-sources handle is $428,876,320, a 13.5 percent increase over last year’s figure of $377,793,901 at this time.

Ontrack handle was down for the week compared to last year but remains up for the meet. Ontrack handle through 28 days is $108,318,993, a 7.2 percent increase over last year’s figure of $101,013,905. Through the first four weeks, the increase in ontrack handle had been 11.8 percent.

Good weather and field size continue to be the two driving forces behind the improved business. Saratoga has conducted 139 turf races – including seven steeplechase events – and has had to move only eight races to the main track because of rain. Through the first 28 days last year, Saratoga ran 132 turf races – including eight steeplechase heats – and transferred 19 to the main track.

Average field size at this meet is 8.38 starters per race (2,381 starters in 284 races) compared to 7.90 (2,236 starters in 283 races) through the same period last year.

There have been 769,155 paid admissions this meet at Saratoga, a 14.3 percent increase over last year’s figure of 672,645.

Saratoga carries this momentum into what should be its biggest week of the summer with Saturday’s bulked-up Travers Day card topped, of course, by the appearance of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the $1.6 million Travers. The card features five other Grade 1 races, including the Personal Ensign and Sword Dancer, which were moved from their traditional places on the calendar to this program.

Friday is New York Showcase Day, comprising 11 races – six stakes – restricted to New York-breds.