from Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Casino and Raceway is reporting a robust 17.2 percent increase in handle from all sources on its live racing product for the first half of its 2011 season over a like period in 2010.

Simulcast Director Don Hoover is pleased to report that off-track handle on Saratoga’s live racing has surged 24 percent over 2010 totals, despite the closure of New York City OTB (which accounted for approximately 10 percent of last year’s total handle).

Hoover also notes that while live on-track handle has suffered a modest 4.3 percent decline over 2010, it is only the halfway point, and with both the $129,000 Gerrity FFA Pace final (August 20) and the $1.4 million New York Sire Stakes “Night of Champions” still on the 2011 calendar, he is optimistic that the final numbers will show even more improvement.