Calculating the final all-sources handle for Hambletonian Day is a
lengthy and complicated process due to foreign, non-commingled partners. The actual final tally is not known for
several months. However, with some
foreign outlets still in the process of reporting/finalizing their numbers, the
total handle is projected to be very close to $8 Million, which will be an
increase from 2012.
Unlike
a typical race day, Hambletonian Day handle is comprised of much more than
on-track handle and North American Export.
In addition, there is wagering in the form of commingled and
non-commingled (separate pool) foreign dollars.
Some of these outlets include France, Sweden, Finland and Australia.
Despite
rain falling through the first 5 races, the live handle in 2013 of $1,648,015
was virtually flat compared to the $1,649,385 wagered in 2012. The 2013 commingled export of $5,252,302
marked an increase of 15-percent from the $4,577,832 wagered through commingled
export in 2012.
In addition, there was $2,261,405
wagered on the Hambletonian Eliminations and Final, not including
non-commingled foreign wagering. That total, when compared to the $1,637,993
wagered on the Eliminations (held the week prior) and Final in 2012, yields an
increase of 38-percent.
Without the
non-commingled foreign dollars factored in, this was the 5th highest total
wagered on the Hambletonian in its history.
Furthermore, when the non-commingled wagers are calculated, the total
could come very close to record Hambletonian handle of $2,583,857 set in 2001.
In
order to gauge the success of the 2013 Hambletonian, it is important to compare
the event to the last time it was held in a heat-format, which was in
1996. On that day, there was a total
all-sources handle of $6,115,765 with $1,237,692 wagered on the Eliminations
and the Hambletonian Final. Therefore a
total handle increase of over $1.8 Million and a Hambletonian total handle
nearly double that of the last time the event was held in heats makes the 2013
edition a rousing success.
While
there will always be more money wagered on a single Hambletonian Final when the
field is known for the entire week leading up to the race, heat-racing produces
a much more exciting event and a larger total handle on the Eliminations and
the Final combined. The 2013
Hambletonian handle figures show that heat racing can be successful on the
biggest stage in the modern-era.
