Both on-track wagering and attendance are up through the first two months of the 2012 harness meet at the Meadowlands Racetrack

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The live handle is up 13 per cent through 23 nights of racing, with $6,756,972 wagered versus $5,964,256 the previous year. The February 18 card, which featured a trio of winter series finals, produced the highest total handle thus far. The $3,144,519 wagered was higher than any night in 2011, excluding the Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian cards. Total handle also surpassed $3 million on January 28, the first major stakes night of the season.

Attendance for live racing is up nearly nine per cent, with 52,811 fans coming through the turnstiles versus 48,477 the previous year.

“Few racetracks in North America are able to report such growth, and I want to commend our employees and horsemen for their efforts in helping us achieve these positive results,” said Jeff Gural, chairman of New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC. “As a token of our appreciation, we picked up the costs of dinner for everyone in the paddock Friday night (March 2).”

Total on-track wagering for live and simulcast races is up 4.7 per cent through the first two months with $38,774,528 wagered versus $37,029,298 in 2011.

Live racing at the Meadowlands will resume Thursday, March 9 with a 7:00 p.m. first-race post time.

(Meadowlands)