The New York Racing Association Inc. on Monday announced that the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course generated more than 1.1 million in paid attendance for the first time since 2018, up 2.8% from last year, and nearly $800 million in all-sources handle, a 9% decrease.
Despite one of the wettest summers in history, which forced an unprecedented 65 races off the turf, all-sources handle totaled $799,229,288 with paid attendance continuing its steady climb to 1,105,683. The handle was the third largest in Saratoga's history while this summer also marked the eighth consecutive season with attendance exceeding one million fans.*
“Thanks to the fans who visited Saratoga Race Course over these 40 days, and all those who watched and wagered from home, the popularity of the summer meet continues to exceed all expectations,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “The world-class racing held here each summer is made possible by the owners, trainers, jockeys and backstretch community who collectively dedicate so much to the horses and the sport.
“At the same time, the continued success of Saratoga depends upon our ability to continuously enhance equine safety through science and technology,” added O'Rourke. “In the coming months, NYRA will make significant investments in PET scan imaging to identify pre-existing injuries; finalize the path forward regarding the adoption of synthetic surfaces at each venue; and expand the use of biometric wearable devices. Horses, fans, and the racing community deserve nothing less.”
Plans for the safety enhancements come in the wake of seven catastrophic breakdowns during the meet, including fatal injuries sustained by Maple Leaf Mel in the Test (G1) and New York Thunder in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) as both runners appeared en route to victory.
Throughout the 2023 summer meet, Saratoga and the surrounding communities appeared on the national stage more prominently than ever before thanks to an unprecedented broadcast partnership with FOX Sports. FOX and NYRA debuted a new programming series called FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY which featured live national coverage for six consecutive Saturdays from Saratoga Race Course on FOX, beginning on July 22 and culminating with the Travers on August 26.
Prior to the start of the season, the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency released the findings of an independently commissioned study which attributed $371 million in economic activity and more than 2,900 jobs to the annual Saratoga summer meet. The report found that the overall economic impact generated by Saratoga Race Course has increased by 57 percent since the previous study conducted in 2014.
Saratoga by the numbers (2023 vs. 2022)
Inclement weather forced 65 races off the turf, compared with 16 in 2022, which largely accounted for the nine percent decline in all-sources handle when compared to the record-setting wagering in 2022.
Average daily paid attendance surged past 27,000 for the first time since 2019 to finish at 27,642.
Total paid attendance: 1,105,683 vs. 1,075,586 (+2.8%)
Average daily paid attendance: 27,642
Races off the turf: 65 vs. 16 (+306%)
Races cancelled due to weather (8/4/2023): 4
All-sources handle: $799,229,288 vs. $878,211,963 (-9.0%)
Average daily handle: $19,980,732
Total on-track handle: $142,918,763 vs. $152,274,728 (-6.1%)
Total races: 410 (270 dirt and 140 turf) vs. 417 (218 dirt and 199 turf)
Average field size: 7.64 vs. 7.76 (-1.6%)
Number of timed workouts since Saratoga opened for training in April: 10,738
Live racing resumes on Thursday, September 14 at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet which runs through Sunday, October 29. The 28-day meet offers a total of 44 stakes worth $9.275 million in total purses. The Belmont at the Big A fall meet will include four Grade 1 events and six Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifiers.
*Excludes 2020 when fans were not permitted on track due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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