Aqueduct handle down in January

While Aqueduct enjoyed a significant spike in on-track business in January, daily average total handle on its races was down nearly 10 percent in the first full month of business since the closing of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp.

According to figures released Friday by the New York Racing Association, daily average all-sources handle on Aqueduct’s races in January was $5,818,775, down 9.97 percent from January 2010, when it was $6,463,332. Total handle on Aqueduct’s races in January was $110,556,716, down 18.55 percent from 2010 when it was $135,729,965. There were 19 racing days and 171 races conducted in January this year, compared with 21 racing days and 183 races conducted in January 2010.

The closure of OTB prompted major increases in attendance and ontrack handle. Daily average attendance for January was 4,510, a 44.78 increase over 3,115 in January 2010. Daily average ontrack handle on Aqueduct’s races in January was $785,588, a 46.26-percent increase from the $537,118 handled on track in January 2010.

New York City OTBs handle on Aqueduct’s races in January 2010 was $15.8 million. New york City OTB shut for good on Dec. 8 after legislation that would have helped the company emerge from Chapter 9 bankruptcy failed to pass the State Senate.