Penn National closes 2012 with increase in daily average
handle
Daily average all-sources handle on races at Penn National Race Course was up 20.6 percent in 2012, and a historic
year awaits in 2013 with the inaugural running of the $500,000 Penn Mile set for
June 1.
Despite running two fewer live racing days in 2012 (197), total handle on Penn National’s races increased 19.4 percent increase to
$199,644,098, up from the $167,251,807 wagered in 2011. Daily average handle was
$1,013,422, a 20.6 percent increase over $840,461 in 2011.
Live handle on Penn National races was up 2.9 percent, increasing from $11,009,226
to $11,333,319. Export wagering, comprising bets made on Penn National
races from simulcast outlets, was up 20.5 percent to $188,310,780 versus
$156,242,580 the previous year.
“2012 was a very successful year for Penn National, which
is a credit to the hard work put in by all the racing employees, the strong
support from our terrific horsemen, and our loyal customers who responded so
enthusiastically to our product,” said Dan Silver, director of racing operations
at Penn National. “We are looking forward to even more success in 2013, with a
revamped stakes schedule featuring the inaugural running of the Penn Mile on
June 1 and the second running of the Fabulous Strike Handicap the night before
Thanksgiving.”
The brand new $500,000 Penn Mile, for three-year-olds on the
turf, represents the biggest purse ever offered at Penn National and highlights
an open stakes program split among two big days.
The Penn Mile anchors a June 1 card that will also feature
the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the
main track and the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup for three-year-olds and up
going five furlongs on the turf.
Last season marked the first running of the Mountainview Handicap,
which had a $175,000 purse and was won by Grade 1 victor Toby’s Corner. The
Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup has been run every year since 1973, the first full
year of racing at Penn National.
The second running of the $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap
for three-year-olds and up going six furlongs will be contested on Thanksgiving Eve,
November 27. Run in 2012 for a $200,000 purse, the race attracted a
number of top sprinters and was won by Ben’s Cat for legendary trainer King Leatherbury.
Also scheduled for the robust November 27 card will be the
$150,000 Swatara for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles and the inaugural
running of the $150,000 Lady in Waiting for fillies and mares going six
furlongs.
2012 Yearly Wagering on Races at
Penn National
| Year over Year | 2012 | 2011 | Change | % Change | ||||
| Live Days | 197 | 199 | 2 | -1.0% | ||||
| Live Handle | $11,333,319 | $11,009,226 | $324,093 | 2.9% | ||||
| Average | $57,530 | $55,323 | $2,207 | 4.0% | ||||
| Export Handle | $188,310,780 | $156,242,580 | $32,068,200 | 20.5% | ||||
| Average | $955,892 | $785,139 | $170,753 | 21.7% | ||||
| Total on Penn National Races | $199,644,098 | $167,251,807 | $32,392,291 | 19.4% | ||||
| Average | $1,013,422 | $840,461 | $172,961 | 20.6% |
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