Breeders' Cup Reports Record First Day Handle
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Breeders' Cup Friday at Santa Anita Park
All-sources handle for the 10-race program the first day of the 36th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1 reached $56,517,228, a record for Breeders' Cup Friday and a 5.4% increase over last year's 10-race Breeders' Cup "Future Stars Friday" card at Churchill Downs.
The Future Stars Friday card featured five Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-olds, the second consecutive year of grouping all of the juvenile races on the same day since the event expanded to its current two-day format in 2007. The day kicked off with the Marathon Stakes Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2), the only other graded stakes on the card.
Friday's attendance was 41,243, similar to last year's 42,249 at Churchill and the second-highest among seven Breeders' Cup Fridays at Santa Anita. The day's on-track handle was $6,340,351.
Breeders' Cup Friday Attendance, Handle History
2018, Churchill Downs—42,249; $53,636,272
2017, Del Mar—32,728; $52,273,883
2016, Santa Anita—45,673; $49,651,600
2015, Keeneland—44,497; $46,251,965
2014, Santa Anita—37,205; $47,666,982
2013, Santa Anita—35,633; $52,594,370
2012, Santa Anita—34,619; $48,997,009
2011, Churchill Downs—40,677; $52,095,202
2010, Churchill Downs—41,614; $54,889,388
2009, Santa Anita—37,651; $50,662,945
2008, Santa Anita—31,257; $49,473,304
2007, Monmouth Park—27,803; $31,499,007