Attendance, wagering down at Hollywood Park

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -Attendance and wagering during Hollywood Park's spring-summer meet dropped by 10 percent each, extending a trend at many U.S. tracks as the economy continues to sputter.

Attendance during the 57-day meet that ended Sunday averaged 12,676, down 10.4 percent from the average of 14,149 during a 55-day meet last year.

The average wagering handle of $4,794,545 declined 10.6 percent from last year's average of $5,365,293.

Track president Jack Liebau says officials are disappointed with the numbers, but they thought changing the purse structure to benefit lower level horses was a good idea.

Liebau says having a Thursday night card on July 1 was successful, and the track plans to continue experimenting with ways to attract more people.

Hollywood Park's fall meeting opens on Nov. 4.