Laurel Park's Fall Festival of Racing, an 11-race card held at the Maryland track Saturday, saw a 19.6% increase in handle over last year's festival. Saturday's card, which featured the first graded running of the GIII De Francis Dash since 2009, generated total handle of $4.513 million, compared to $3.775 million in 2015. The Maryland Jockey Club expects to take in $425 million in total handle this year, an increase from $355 million in 2015 and $296 million in 2014.
“We were pleased with Saturday's handle as well as the crowd that came out to watch a great race card,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. “We want to thank everyone who came out and enjoyed our renovated facility, those who bet the program on-line or at simulcast facilities, and those who came out for the Brew & Bourbon Festival. We also want to thank horsemen locally and nationally who continue to support our program. We want to continue to offer fans and horsemen these spectacular programs and events. Fans like the renovations we've made and horsemen love the new barns and improvements to the backside. Our Sunday program continues to build as well with dining options and Fantasy Football. We're going to continue to work hard because we believe there's tremendous potential in Maryland.”
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