Attendance up, but wagering down this season at Del Mar race track - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

Attendance up, but wagering down this season at Del Mar race track

DEL MAR, Calif. (CNS) - With two weeks left in the horse racing season, daily attendance is up at the Del Mar race track, but wagering is down slightly.

Through Sunday, the track saw a 6.1 percent increase in its daily average attendance -- from 18,213 per day in 2009 to 19,324 this year, according to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

The spike in attendance goes against trends throughout the industry, race officials noted.

The average amount of money wagered daily is at $11.7 million this year, compared to $12.4 million for the same period in 2009.

Officials with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said the track has run 14 fewer races this season, which has had an impact on betting.

The racing season at Del Mar ends on Sept. 8.