The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course last weekend, posting average wagering figures that were 8.9 percent higher than comparable dates from 2008.The spring meet featured just 20 live racing dates, 11 fewer than a year ago. When comparing the 41 days of the stand (20 live and 21 simulcast) with 2008, the average daily handle rose from $6.293 million to $6.854 million.
Increased wagering for the May 16 card headlined by Preakness Stakes was the reason for the higher totals. Wagering on the 13-race card finished at more than $86.6 million, the fifth largest in the 134-year history of the event, up 18 percent from a year ago. Nearly $60 million was bet on the Preakness itself as filly Rachel Alexandra defeated 12 colts and geldings. The race drew 10.9 million viewers on NBC, up 38 percent from 2008.
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