Saratoga's opening-week all-sources handle up 18.1 percent over 2021

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The 2022 Saratoga meet has gotten off to a tremendous start with all-sources handle at $106,401,827, an 18.1 percent increase over the $90,112,255 handled during opening week of the 2021 meet, which ultimately saw Saratoga handle a single-season record of $815.5 million.

Ontrack handle was $17,062,482, an 18.5 percent increase over last year’s figure of $14,394,438. Paid admissions through the first week was 103,254, a 10 percent increase over last year’s figure of 94,078.

“Fan interest and engagement with the summer at Saratoga Race Course is at an all-time high,” Dave O’Rourke, the New York Racing Association president and CEO said in a release. “We saw that on display throughout opening weekend presented by Runhappy, which generated record wagering handle and a 10 percent increase in paid attendance. Saratoga stands apart as a destination that continues to grow in popularity, and we thank the fans for their enthusiastic support of the summer meet.”

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Saturday’s Diana card handled a whopping $37,068,005, up 15.4 percent from last year's figure of $32,117,868.

Aside from rain that hit for about 15 minutes on opening day, the weather cooperated in a major way for opening week, which allowed NYRA to run all 19 scheduled turf races on that surface. In the first week last year, five of 20 scheduled turf races were rained off to the dirt.

Average field size for the first 41 races of the 2022 meet was 8.75 horses per race, compared to 8.10 last year.

Joel Rosario led all riders in wins opening week with seven, one more than Jose Ortiz, who had six following a four-win Sunday.

Chad Brown, who won four races Saturday, and Christophe Clement are tied atop the trainer standings with four wins apiece.

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