Francesca Le Donne Photo

2020 Aqueduct fall meet sees 12.8 percent increase in average daily handle

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the 2020 fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack generated $9,261,276 in average daily handle from all sources, a 12.8 percent increase over the 2019 Aqueduct fall meet.

The 2020 fall meet, which was conducted over 18 race days, generated all sources handle of $166,702,976. The 2019 fall meet, which was conducted over 25 race days, generated all sources handle of $205,249,710. A total of 175 races were run in 2020, equating to 58 fewer than the number of races run in 2019.

Of the 175 races run during the fall meet, 107 were held on the main track and 68 over the two turf courses. Average field size over those 175 races was 8.67, a 3.2 percent increase over 2019. A total of 11 races were taken off the turf due to weather.

The 2020 fall meet was highlighted by 29 stakes, including 11 graded events, worth $3.41 million in purse money, and ran from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, December 6.

Kendrick Carmouche registered his first-ever riding title for a NYRA meet, notching 23 victories to pace all jockeys during the fall meet at Aqueduct. Christophe Clement also secured his first NYRA title by tallying 16 wins to lead all trainers, while Klaravich Stables and Repole Stables each campaigned five winners to finish as co-leading owners.

The Aqueduct fall meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020-21 winter meet at Aqueduct will begin on Thursday, December 10 and continue through Sunday, March 28. The 56-day Aqueduct winter meet will include 42 stakes races worth $4.57 million in purse money.

New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19. As was the case during the Aqueduct fall meet, a limited number of New York State Gaming Commission-licensed owners will be permitted at Aqueduct on the day their horse is entered to race.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, NYRA Bets is currently offering a $200 new member bonus in addition to a host of special weekly offers. The NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

For additional information, and the complete winter meet stakes schedule, please visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule.