dave o'rourke | Horse Racing Free Tips

Average Handle Increases at Belmont Spring/Summer Meet

Belmont Park’s abbreviated Spring/Summer Meet generated $15,466,198 in average daily handle from all sources, a 42% increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet. Held over 25 days and without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the live meet marked the return of professional sports to the New York area and was conducted with strict health and safety protocols in place.

“We would like to thank the horseplayers for their enthusiastic support of New York racing during this most unusual spring/ summer meet,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “That we were able to resume racing on June 3, and usher in the return of professional sports in New York, reflects the dedication and professionalism of the racing community during these uncertain and challenging times.”

All sources handle during this year’s spring/summer meet totaled $386,654,955. Average field size over the 248 races carded was 8.61.

The 2019 spring/summer meet, which was contested over 48 live race days, generated all-sources handle of $524,051,324 and average daily handle of $10,917,736. With 448 races run, the average field size was 6.98.

Racing shifts upstate for the 40-day Saratoga meeting which begins Thursday. Under current New York State guidelines, the track will open without spectators in attendance.

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Average Daily Handle Up 42 Percent During Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet

The New York Racing Association Inc., (NYRA) today announced that the Belmont Park spring/summer meet generated $15,466,198 in average daily handle from all sources, a 42 percent increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet.

Abbreviated to 25-days and held without spectators in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the spring/summer meet on Wednesday, June 3 marked the return of professional sports in New York and was conducted with strict health and safety protocols in place.

“We would like to thank the horseplayers for their enthusiastic support of New York racing during this most unusual spring/summer meet,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “That we were able to resume racing on June 3, and usher in the return of professional sports in New York, reflects the dedication and professionalism of the racing community during these uncertain and challenging times.”

Despite running 23 fewer days than in 2019, a 48 percent decrease, all sources handle during the spring/summer meet totaled $386,654,955.

Average field size over the 248 races carded was 8.61, a 23 percent increase over 2019. Five races were taken off the turf due to weather, and all five came on July 10 with the impact of Tropical Storm Fay.

The June 20 Belmont Stakes Day card, which featured 12 races and six graded stakes, highlighted by Tiz the Law's victory in the 152nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, generated all sources handle of $67,753,336.

The 2019 spring/summer meet, which was contested across 48 live race days, generated all sources handle of $524,051,324 and average daily handle of $10,917,736. 448 races were run in total with 46 races taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size was 6.98.

Chad Brown notched 23 wins to finish as the leading trainer at the 2020 Belmont spring/summer meet for the fifth consecutive time and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. posted 34 victories to lead all riders as the 25-day meet concluded on Sunday at Belmont Park.

Klaravich Stables led all owners with 13 wins, outpacing second-place finisher Michael Dubb, who had seven victories.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Following the four-day opening weekend, live racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.

Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance. The 40-day meet will be highlighted by the 151st renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 8 and the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney on Saturday, August 1.

Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule

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NYRA to Highlight Non-Profit Organizations at Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. will celebrate the work of non-profit organizations by taking its Community Outreach Booth program online during the 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which begins Thursday, July 16 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

The Virtual Community Outreach Booth program will highlight a total of 40 non-profits throughout the season by sharing information about their work and fundraising initiatives at NYRA.com/community.

“As we look ahead to a unique racing season, it is important to NYRA that we continue to highlight the work of non-profit organizations both in our industry and the Saratoga community,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O’Rourke. “We encourage fans to visit our website throughout the season to learn more about the impact that these organizations have on our community.”

The digital edition of the program will serve as a temporary replacement to the Community Outreach Booth’s traditional on-track location, which sits prominently alongside the Jockey Silks Room near the Union Avenue main entrance and is a mainstay of the summer meet.

Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance.

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NYRA To Highlight Non-Profits With Virtual Community Outreach Booth At Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will celebrate the work of non-profit organizations by taking its popular Community Outreach Booth program online during the 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which begins on Thursday, July 16 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

The Virtual Community Outreach Booth program will highlight a total of 40 non-profits throughout the season by sharing information about their work and fundraising initiatives at NYRA.com/community. NYRA will also prominently feature its Community Partner of the Day in the Post Parade racing program, which will be available for purchase at select retail locations across the Capital Region as well as throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

“As we look ahead to a unique racing season, it is important to NYRA that we continue to highlight the work of non-profit organizations both in our industry and the Saratoga community,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We encourage fans to visit our website throughout the season to learn more about the impact that these organizations have on our community.”

The digital edition of the program will serve as a temporary replacement to the Community Outreach Booth's traditional on-track location, which sits prominently alongside the Jockey Silks Room near the Union Avenue main entrance and is a mainstay of the summer meet.

Throughout the summer, NYRA will direct racing fans to its community partners page to learn more about the featured non-profits, which represent a mix of industry partners and Saratoga Springs-based organizations.

The program will kick off on Opening Day by highlighting The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund, which is bringing the attractions of the Spa City to the family table with a limited-edition City of Saratoga Springs MONOPOLY® game. NYRA is one of several local sponsors. All proceeds from game sales benefit the Community Fund, which serves as a source of philanthropic support for local charities. The game will be available for purchase beginning Friday, July 10 at www.atccf.org.

“We are honored to be the featured nonprofit for the Virtual Community Booth on Opening Day. At a time when local nonprofits need our support more than ever, the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund is excited to introduce a first-edition, authentic City of Saratoga Springs MONOPOLY® game,” said Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund Chairman Brian Straughter. “This game has been made possible through the support of local community members, many of which are featured on the game board.Proceeds of all games sold will go directly to the ATC Community Fund and our Lend-A-Hand grant program.”

The Belmont Child Care Association will be highlighted on Whitney Day, Saturday, August 1, as a lead-up to its Racing for the Children week-long virtual party August 3 through 9. The fundraiser is in celebration of the forthcoming Saratoga Child Care Center, which is set to debut in 2021 and is designed to care for the children and families of the Spa backstretch.

The Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) will serve as the designated non-profit of the day on Saturday, August 8 in conjunction with the 151st renewal of the Runhappy Travers. The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) will be highlighted on Saturday, September 5, which will feature two popular graded stakes: the Woodward and the Jim Dandy which will be contested on the same afternoon as the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Additional Saratoga Springs-based community partners include the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, The Wesley Community, Saratoga Arts District, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Automobile Museum and Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council.

For a complete list of community partners during the 2020 season, please visit NYRA.com/community.

Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

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