2018 Stars & Stripes Racing Festival marked by record handle
by NYRA Press Office
Saturday's Stars & Stripes Racing Festival, comprised of five graded stakes and highlighted by Catholic Boy's thrilling victory over Analyze it in the Grade 1, $1.2 million Belmont Derby Invitational, generated all-sources handle of $24,612,465, the highest such handle figure since NYRA launched the Stars & Stripes Racing Festival in 2014.
With a paid attendance of 16,763, Saturday's on-track handle of $3,182,221 also established a new high for the festival.
In addition to the Belmont Derby, Saturday's blockbuster 11-race Stars & Stripes card included the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational for 3-year-old fillies, as well as the Grade 2, $700,000 Suburban, the Grade 2, $350,000 Belmont Sprint Championship and the Grade 3, $300,000 Dwyer.
2014-2018 Stars & Stripes Day Handle
2014
Saturday, July 5
Races: 10
All-sources: $18,829,264
On-track: $2,825,797
2015
Saturday, July 4
Races: 11
All-sources: $20,652,065
On-track: $2,779,529
2016
Saturday, July 9
Races: 11
All-sources: $22,980,094
On-track: $2,898,826
2017
Saturday, July 8
Races: 11
All-sources: $22,341,423
On-track: $3,084,823
2018
Saturday, July 7
Races: 11
All-sources: $24,612,465
On-track: $3,182,22
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