Rachel Raises Attendance AND Handle
Rachel and Calvin bringin’ home the bacon. (Sarah K. Andrew)
I don’t subscribe to the theory that any one thing can “save” racing, but a quick look at the attendance and handle figures from the last two Saturdays at Belmont indicate that having well publicized stars around helps not only attendance but the bottom line.
Saturday June 20th, 2009:
Belmont Park Attendance: 4703
On Track Mutuel Pool: $863,292
ITW Mutuel Pool: $2,116,700
ISW Mutuel Pool: $5,246,269
Saturday June 27th, 2009:
Belmont Park Attendance: 13352
On Track Mutuel Pool: $1,357,534
ITW Mutuel Pool: $2,657,212
ISW Mutuel Pool: $8,361,822
That’s an increase of:
8649 / 65% increase in attendance
$494,242 / 36% of on track handle
$3,115,553 / 37% increase in interstate wagering
I’m never sure if IST/ISW includes ADW wagering, I assume it does. ITW, or tracks within New York, didn’t show a notable increase. Sure, per capita wagering could always be better but you gotta start somewhere!
Players definitely took advantage of getting a freebie in multi-race wagers with the Pick 4 and Pick 6 pools pretty much doubling.
Pick 4 Pool:
Saturday June 20th, 2009: $257,050
Saturday June 27th, 2009: $484,588
$227,538 / 47% increase
Pick 6 Pool:
Saturday June 20th, 2009: $61,617
Saturday June 27th, 2009: $138,250
$76,633 / 55% increase
The feature on the 20th was a Grade 3, not a Grade 1… perhaps a comparison to this coming Saturday, July 4th with the Suburban, Prioress and Dwyer + a holiday would be a better comparison. Either way, I think it’s safe to say that having/keeping stars around can only help.
Posted by dana on Jun 28 2009
Filed Under: Industry, Sarah K. Andrew, 2009, Rachel Alexandra, Handle, Pick 6, Pick 4, Belmont, Wagering, Calvin Borel, Marketing, NYRA, Racing
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Excellent news. Let’s pray for a trend
fingers crossed
It was great to hear the FANS applauding and cheering for her. Big horses always bring out the people.
I always love that at Belmont, the fan’s affection is very touching I think.
Nice information. Thanks for doing the research, important stuff. Good to see.
thx NB!
One thing that you failed to compare was the weather. 6/20 was a horrible weather day, and 6/27 was lovely.
that’s a great point, I didn’t remember that!
all signs point to good weather for the 4th (fingers crossed), so I’ll revisit after that or pick a Saturday in the coming weeks with good weather… good catch!
I agree, Walter. The cheering of the New York crowd for a beloved horse is one of the most wonderful sounds in the world.
Saturday June 27th, 2009:
Belmont Park Attendance: 13352
I’m surprised no one has questioned that attendance figure
as legitimate. There were at least a “couple of spinners” for the Rachel Alexandra pink bracelets no?
not sure what you mean by “couple of spinners”… but, it could be somewhat elevated. I wasn’t there so no first hand input to offer. even so, WAY up from the previous week.
Well I was being modest about the “couple of spinners”.
I’m guessing a number out of the air, that perhaps 200 or 300
went through the turnstiles 3-4-5 times or more.
Who really knows.
In any event the idea is not to accept the reported turnstile count as the actual number of human beings inside the building.
Good day. ;-)
It was a great turnout anyway you look at it.
I agree Walter, hopefully today will also be a great turn out… the weather is gorgeous and I’m on my way out there now!