Despite heavy rain that caused racing to be cancelled after two races Sunday,
Hollywood Park finished its 30th fall season with some encouraging attendance
and handle results within California.
Buoyed by the appearance of Zenyatta and the inclusion of two Breeders’ Cup
cards from Churchill Downs (November 5-6), average daily attendance in Southern
California was up 7.2 percent from 2009. Average daily handle generated in
Southern California, including advance deposit wagering, was up 8 percent. The
average per day was $4.187 million, compared to $3.875 million a year ago.
The average daily on-track attendance declined slightly (0.7 percent) and
average daily on-track handle was down 2.1 percent. Wagering outside California
on Hollywood Park races decreased by 15.2 per cent, resulting in a 4.2 per cent
decline in average daily all-sources handle. This figure went from $8.362
million in 2009 to $8.015 million in 2010.
“We were heartened by the overall results of the meet,” Hollywood Park
president Jack Liebau said. “Wagering within California surpassed expectations
in light of the 12.5 per cent unemployment rate in the state. Hopefully, the
downward trend in wagering is bottoming out and the worst is now behind us.
Santa Anita should have a great meet.”