Pimlico Race Course Reports Sharp Decline in Betting From '07

The all-sources handle for the Maryland Jockey Club's (MJC) 31-day spring meet at Pimlico Race Cource, which concluded Sunday, was $190.9M, down 16% from $228.7M for the same eight-week period in '07, according to Sandra McKee of the Baltimore SUN. MJC President & COO Tom Chuckas said that the "economy and weather-related issues on weekends ... caused wagering declines" (Baltimore SUN, 6/11).  Meanwhile, on-track handle on live racing dropped to $15.9M, down 16.9% from $19.1M in '07 (WASHINGTON POST, 6/11).