Handle Up 37 Percent On Maryland Million Day
Handle Up 37 Percent On Maryland Million Day
LAUREL, MD – Saturday’s 30th running of the Jim McKay Maryland Million – featuring full, competitive fields and an extensively renovated facility – generated an increase in handle of 37 percent and an increase in attendance of 17 percent.
Total handle for the 11-race program – highlighted by $1 million in purses and Admirals War Chest’s victory in the $150,000 Classic – was $3.778 million compared to last year’s handle of $2.801 million. Live on-track handle was up 17 percent, from $466,048 to $545,129.
A crowd of 19,119 attended Maryland Million Day, which featured live music and other events, compared to last year’s crowd of 18,100.
“We are very happy with the day’s racing, events and crowd,” said Tim Ritvo, COO of Racing at The Stronach Group, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club. “Our renovations and new concessions and food service were welcomed with enthusiasm by our guests. It was great to hear people so happy with the changes and improvements. We had full fields despite losing some 20 horses to the quarantine at Parx.
“We want to thank the Maryland breeders and horsemen for their support. This is another step in the revitalization of Maryland breeding and racing.”
