The Raceway at Western Fair District has posted solid wagering gains through the first two full months of the 2013/14 live racing season.
Overall handle (year-over-year), when compared to the same dates in October and November, indicates an increase of $831,000, a marked jump of 21 per cent over last year’s totals.
Live wagering on those programs also rose by 10.5 per cent through the first two months, with the largest gains coming on Friday night programs.
“It’s very encouraging to get off to that kind of start to the season,” said the track’s racing manager, Greg Blanchard. “The feedback I get is that people like the varied wagering menu and the full competitive fields that are being carded. The quality of the product on the track is probably as strong as I’ve seen it here.”
The $5,000 Guaranteed Pool pick-4 wagers on Mondays and Tuesdays have proven popular once again, with the average daily pool hovering around $8,000. The wager has also generated some big payoffs, including 20-cent tickets worth $6,600 and $7,100 on back-to-back programs just last week.
The Raceway at the Western Fair District will be busy over the remainder of the holiday season, maintaining its current schedule of Mondays and Tuesdays at 4:05 p.m. and Fridays at 7:05 p.m. In addition, there will be special programs offered on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1:15 p.m. and New Year’s Eve (December 31) at 8:05 p.m.
“Those are two of our biggest days of the season and we’re looking forward to making them bigger and better this year,” said Blanchard. “We’ll have lots happening on track and will work to enhance our wagering offerings on those days as well.”
(With files from the Western Fair District)
Handle is up cause Western
Handle is up cause Western got rid of their money losing Saturday nights.
Western takes in if they are lucky,150 thou on a Friday!On Monday/Tuesday cards they take in 350 thou.If Western got rid of their Friday cards and put them on a Wednesday,handle would be up 40 percent.
What other industry gives up over a 150 thou a night!
5k guarantee is great.... and
5k guarantee is great.... and the handle increases are great....
Thing is... the track isnt putting any money towards this. This is just better advertising showing its rewards. It would be nice if the gamblers were rewarded with slot money too. Or offered a winfall put up by the track itself.
Garuenteed pools sound great..... but if the track never adds a nickel its no different than saying "our win4 pools average over $5k dollars".
Mr. Blanchard... step up and hook up the gamblers with a free win10 and send someone to The Jug... or to Nexico or anything.
So far the track is profiting from simulcasting on fridays... and finally landing in the swing shift alone. No one else races during Western Fair's win4, which is brilliant. It runs head to head with no competition.