DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Del Mar increased its on-track attendance and wagering during a shortened 37-day meeting, despite a battered economy.
Track officials attribute the upticks to the new five-day race week. Del Mar reduced its racing days because of fewer horses and the economic downturn.
The track located just north of San Diego averaged 17,181 fans a day, an increase of 7.4 percent over last year's daily average of 16,002 when the track raced six days a week. It was the track's highest average since 1987, when 19,685 fans showed up daily.
On-track handle averaged $2,292,284 per day, an increase of 5.8 percent over last year's daily average of $2,167,028.
The track's overall daily average handle — including both on and off-track sources — was $13,040,206, an increase of 0.3 percent from last year's daily average of $13,005,906.
