BC Friday handle off 5 percent

A crowd of 34,619 was on hand at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, on

Friday for the first day of the 29th Breeders' Cup World Championships. The

attendance figure was a slight decline over the 2009 Friday attendance at Santa

Anita of 37,651, but up from the 2008 figure of 31,257.

"We're off to an encouraging start with great performances on the track,

including Royal Delta's brilliant repeat in the Ladies' Classic, and strong

business results. We're looking forward to picking up where we left off on

Saturday," Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel said.

Total common-pool handle for Friday's 10-race card was $47,586,765 vs.

$50,053,505 bet last year on Championship Friday at Churchill Downs (a 5 percent

decline) and $48,439,438 bet on the 2009 Friday card at Santa Anita.

On-track handle at Santa Anita on Friday was $7,298,174 vs. $7,097,789 here

in 2009 (a 2.82 percent increase).

"Considering the effects of Hurricane Sandy and difficult circumstances for

much of the East Coast, to be within 5 percent of last year's total handle is a

success," Breeders' Cup Senior Wagering Consultant Ken Kirchner said.

Friday's betting action was highlighted by a $773,865 single winning ticket

in the Pick 6. There were 52 consolation five-of-six tickets that paid $6,378. 

There will be a $2 million guaranteed Ultra Pick 6 pool on Saturday.

Friday Attendance history:

2012		Santa Anita		34,619
2011		Churchill Downs		40,677
2010		Churchill Downs		41,614
2009		Santa Anita		37,651
2008		Santa Anita		31,257

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