by Pat McKenna
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the boutique 11-day Aqueduct spring meet generated all-sources handle of $85,419,050, a 2.2 percent increase over the 2019 Aqueduct spring meet.
Average daily handle over the 11 days of live racing was $7,765,368, an 11.5 percent increase over 2019, when average daily handle over the 12 days of live racing was $6,964,947.
The 2020 spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack was canceled in its entirety due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In accordance with New York State guidelines instituted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the 2021 Aqueduct spring meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of owners and essential employees in attendance.
On-track handle, which includes wagering from New York residents utilizing NYRA Bets, was $5,734,531 compared to $9,987,247 in 2019.
The Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which features 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, will open on Thursday, April 22 and continue through Sunday, July 11.
For additional information, and the complete Belmont Park spring/summer stakes schedule, please visit NYRA.com.