The New York Racing Association's Reorganization BOD "touted Wednesday what they described as a successful season at Saratoga Race Course, which saw a NYRA record handle" of $656,121,664 -- a 14.1% increase over '14 and "well in excess of the previous record of $590,187,876" set in '12, according to Rick Karlin of the Albany TIMES UNION. NYRA officials also said that there was a "record on-track handle of $157,647,599," or a 4.8% increase over '14. That too, "surpassed the 2012 record of $150,637,998." NYRA President & CEO Chris Kay noted that they recorded a 13.8% "increase in revenue from dining, concessions and merchandising, which was in keeping with a strong attendance of 1,065,625." Triple Crown winner American Pharoah "raced in the Travers Stakes, where attendance was capped at 50,000." The horse "ended up losing to Keen Ice," but American Pharoah's appearance "sparked increased publicity and interest in the meet." NYRA also "raised restaurant seating prices and initiated a program in which visitors could pay to reserve picnic tables near the paddock" (Albany TIMES UNION, 10/22). In New York, Paul Post noted backstretch dormitory improvements, turf course irrigation and tree pruning and removal "are among the ongoing projects" NYRA is tackling at Saratoga. Kay cited "capital improvements as a key reason for the success" of the '15 Saratoga meet, which "saw double-digit increases in all-sources handle" ($697.6M); food, beverage and merchandise sales ($13.2M); and record-high attendance of 1,065,000. Kay said that Saratoga is the "only non-Breeders’ Cup meet to achieve average daily handle" of $16M. NYRA Senior VP & Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca said that a survey of fans indicates that 38% of track-goers "spend nine days and eight nights in Saratoga." Almost half (47%) of visitors "go to the track with groups of family or friends." Of these, 42% of groups "have three to five people." Ninety-nine percent of fans "bet on the races," 40% spend $100-$300 on food and beverages, and 32% spend "at least $75 on merchandise" (SARATOGIAN, 10/22).
