Kentucky Oaks Handle Drops 48.8% After Record 2019
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Photo: Ryan Hermes Photo
Horses race past empty boxes on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs Inc. reported that wagering for the rescheduled Kentucky Oaks Day Sept. 4 was about half of last year's total, attributing the decline to smaller fields, a heavy favorite in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), and the lack of on-track wagering.
Fans were not permitted to attend the 146th running of the Oaks—won by Shedaresthedevil—because of restrictions in place due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and with social unrest in the city of Louisville over the mid-March death of Breonna Taylor. Only horsemen, owners, and media were permitted to attend. Normally held the first Friday in May, the race was postponed this year to September due to COVID-19.
The heavy favorite in the marquee race for 3-year-old fillies was Gamine, who went off at odds of 3-5 and finished third.
Wagering from all-sources on the day was $30.8 million compared to last year's record $60.2 million, a drop of 48.8%. The all-sources total was the lowest Oaks Day handle since $30 million in 2009.
On-track handle last year was $9.9 million.
All-sources wagering on the Oaks race was $10 million compared to $19.4 million, a decline of 48.5%.
"Congratulations to the connections of Shedaresthedevil and special thanks to all of the horse owners, trainers, and jockeys who enthusiastically cooperated through a number of protocol changes this year," track president Kevin Flanery said in a statement issued Friday night.