From a Penn National release
The 2013 racing season that concluded December 28 at Penn National Race Course set a high water mark for both racing and wagering accomplishments.
The average nightly live handle of $1,078,543 for the 197-night meet was an all-time record and an increase of 6.4% versus the 2012 comparative.
June 1 – the inaugural Penn Mile race card – was a milestone date in the 42-year history of Penn National Race Course. A record $1.199 million in purses were offered on the 10-race card, including the richest race in Penn National history, the $500,000 Penn Mile for three-year olds on the turf. Rydilluc was a decisive winner of the Penn Mile for trainer Gary Contessa.
All-time Penn National wagering records set on Penn Mile day included highest total live wagering handle ($3,658,996 eclipsing the 1998 record of $2,173,921), highest single race total handle ($1,139,478), highest on-track live handle ($225,136) and highest Pick 4 wagering pool ($199,514.)
“This season definitely exceeded expectations,” said Christopher McErlean, Vice President of Racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc., parent company of Penn National Race Course. “A terrific new racing event was created which should have even more growth potential going forward and the entire racing team, along with the strong support of our horsemen, did a great job in putting together a solid product throughout the season,” McErlean added.
Penn National will conduct a 200 date live meet in 2014 with opening night on January 2. The track will run a Wednesday through Saturday live racing schedule through most of the season. Post time will be 6 p.m. nightly.
(Featured image by B & D Photography.)
