Finger Lakes Reports Handle Growth at ’23 Meet

[Wandering Eyes]

Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack (FLGR) reported growth in handle at the recently concluded 2023 race meet, according to a press release.

Total handle increased by 18.7 percent to $120,541,745. On-track handle also bumped up by $4,024 to $1,973,368.

The 2023 numbers built off of the increases from the previous year, when total wagering was up 16.5 percent, despite racing one fewer day (88 total).

The total number of races dipped 2.9 percent from 730 to 714, but field size grew to an average of 6.88 starters per race compared to 6.78 in 2022.

Average per-race handle surged by 21.4 percent, from $139,014 to $168,825.

Purses paid out decreased to $14,442,094, or 3 percent. That was a result of fewer races being run and the cancellation of the New York Oaks due to lack of entries.

“We thought offering free Equibase programs online would help us and based on the number of downloads, our fans responded in kind,” said Chris Riegle, president and general manager of FLGR.

Riegle said he was optimistic purses will increase in 2024.

“It seems like we're all fighting for racehorses and based on back-to back excellent seasons we're looking at an across-the-board purse increase for next season,” Riegle said.

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