SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 144th summer season at the Old Spa reached the halfway point Monday with three weeks in the books (plus the opening four days that we call “Belmont-at-Saratoga”). This is the first Saratoga stand whose purses are supplemented by Genting’s Resorts World VLT casino at Aqueduct, and so far, it hasn’t been the breakout meet — either in terms of attendance, betting handle or quality of racing — that many anticipated.
Here are some numbers (supplied by NYRA):
* The attendance of 465,293 is down nearly 2 percent from last year’s 474,254.
* On-track handle, including the downstate Belmont Café and Aqueduct simulcast center and NYRA Rewards internet and phone betting, went from $77,307,032 last year to $77,917,311 this year — an “increase” of 0.8 percent.
* All-sources handle (on-track, OTB and simulcast) was $310,065,500, a 6.5 percent increase from last year’s $291,181,532.
* There were 119 races carded for the turf this year compared with 109 last year, with 26 taken off the turf in 2012 compared with 17 off in ‘11.
Here’s a number NYRA did not include in its halfway-home press release: With 10-11-12 races being carded every day (except for nine on the 2:30 p.m. first post “Party at the Spa” Friday), there have been nine more races — almost a full card — run this year than last, 228 to 219.
The increase in the number of races and the bigger purses haven’t produced a big boost in handle, nor a corresponding increase in quality. For example, of the 32 races run the past three days(Saturday, Sunday, Monday), 13 (40 percent) were for bottom-level $20,000-25,000 claimers, with four of those for maiden-claimers. Of today’s 10 races, four are at the $20,000-25,000 level, including three maiden-claimers.
One upstate handicapper in the press box referred to the recent racing as “Aquetoga.” That may be a bit harsh, as we’ve seen some promising 2-year-olds unleashed at this meet, with more on the way.
* Trainers: After a slow start(only six wins through the first 10 days), Todd Pletcher sits at his customary spot atop the leader board with 20 wins(14 of those with 2-year-olds), followed by Chad Brown at 14, Steve Asmussen at 8, and Rudy Rodriguez and George Weaver with 7 each.
* Jockeys: With 2010-2011 meet leader John Velazquez, returning from an injury, out the first four days, of the meet, and accepting only limited mounts in the days that followed,, Ramon Dominguez figured to be the beneficiary. He took full advantage, including a six-win day (tying Velazquez’ Saratoga record) on July 22, and is running away with the riding title with 39 winners from 163 mounts. Next at 21 each are Javier Castellano and, surprisingly, Jose Lezcano. Joel Rosario (17), Junior Alvarado (16), Julien Leparoux (15) and Velazquez (15-for-59!) follow.