The Belmont Park fall meet generated $9,923,813 in average daily handle from all sources, a 33.6% increase over the 2019 fall meet, the New York Racing Association announced. Despite running 10 fewer days than in 2019, all-sources handle of $267,942,961 was down just 2.5% compared with 2019.
The Belmont Park fall meet has traditionally opened on the Friday following Labor Day. Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYRA adjusted the fall schedule by adding a one-week break following the conclusion of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. As a result, the 2020 fall meet was contested over 27 days compared to 37 days in 2019, a 27% decrease in race dates.
A total of 267 races were run during the fall meet with 148 on the main track and 118 over the grass. Average field size over those 267 races was 7.88, an 8.7% increase over 2019. 24 races were taken off the turf due to weather.
Chad Brown posted 22 wins to earn the status as top trainer for the Belmont Park fall meet for the ninth consecutive year, while Jose Ortiz registered 40 victories to lead all riders. Klaravich Stables campaigned 13 winners, six more than the second-closest competitor in Repole Stables, to pace all owners.
The 2020 fall meet at Aqueduct will begin Friday, Nov. 6 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 6.
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