NYRA Facilities Show Handle Spike

Total pari-mutuel handle at New York Racing Association tracks was up 76% in the first month after the shutdown of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp., according to state officials.

The increase amounts to about $11.6 million in added facility handle, according to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

NYRA officials recently declined to provide a financial snapshot of its business since NYCOTB closed in December. The regulatory agency responded to a request by The Blood-Horse for its analysis of NYRA’s handle in the aftermath of the NYCOTB shutdown.

The period covers from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 and compares it with the same time period a year earlier. Officials said about half the increase is from NYRA’s live racing product, with the rest bet on out-of-state Thoroughbred imports and through account wagering.