Del Mar Puts Declines in Perspective

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Photo: File Photo

Del Mar closed its 69th race meeting Sept. 3 with declines in handle and attendance, but track officials were left with a positive attitude in light of tough economic and industry conditions.

Daily all-sources handle during the 43-day meet dipped 7% to $13,001,768, down from the $13,985,027 recorded during 2007, still yielding the sixth-highest in track history. Attendance at the seaside track in Oceanside, Calif., declined 4.3% to 16,002 from 16,719.

But Joe Harper, president and general manager of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, felt the meet was still strong in light of tough economic conditions and declining numbers at most racetracks.

"No doubt, we were swimming against a strong (economic) current this year,” said Harper in a news release. “But we swam well and we will get stronger because of it. While this economy has threatened to drown a lot of folks out there, we held our own and we don't need to be making any excuses for that."

Daily on-track handle closed at $2,167,028, a decline of 11% from $2,437,225 in 2007. Daily average off-track handle, which included wagering from off-track wagering parlors and advance deposit wagering entities, was $4,621,388, also a decline of 11% from the $5,198,325 in 2007.
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