An 11% increase in attendance for the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships at the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita Park led to a rise in on-track wagering handle, but total wagering handle declined.

Attendance rose 11% from 86,588 to 96,496 for the two-day event, and on-track handle increased both days despite one fewer race for each card. Saturday’s on-track handle jumped 3% to $12,177,982, compared with Saturday’s card in 2008.

After total all-sources wagering handle rose 1% on Friday, compared with Friday’s card in 2008, the numbers dropped off slightly on Saturday. Breeders’ Cup Ltd. reported total handle declined 6% on Saturday to $96,159,747, leading to a drop in total wagering handle for the two-day event.

“Given the economy and national wagering trends, we are very happy this performance and with the overall business results,” said Sherwood C. Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association.