Breeders' Cup Registers Sixth-Highest Handle
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Photo: Silas Walker
Total all-sources handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland was $160,472,894, the sixth-highest total since the Breeders' Cup expanded to a two-day event in 2007 and an 8% decrease from the 2019 record handle of $174,000,574 at Santa Anita Park.
Breeders' Cup did not report attendance figures this year at Keeneland with no paid spectators allowed as a COVID-19 safety precaution. Owners and their guests, breeders, participating horsemen, and media were allowed to attend—a group that perhaps numbered in the low thousands.
Despite a sharply reduced crowd, this year's total handle represented a 7% increase from the 2015 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland.
"We had an extraordinary two days of racing showcasing the best Thoroughbreds from around the world, and we want to thank our hosts here at Keeneland, who did an amazing job, and the city of Lexington," Breeders' Cup CEO Drew Fleming said. "Given the unique circumstances for this year's event with attendance limited here and at other tracks and simulcast facilities around the country, we are very pleased with the overall handle for the two days."
Common-pool handle on Saturday's 12-race card was $110,186,908, a 6% decline from last year's handle on Breeders' Cup Saturday of $117,483,346.
Unseasonably warm fall weather in Central Kentucky under sunny skies led to ideal racing conditions for both days of the marquee event.
The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Del Mar in 2021 before returning to Keeneland in 2022.
Breeders' Cup Two-Day Attendance & Handle History
2020: Keeneland, no attendance reported—$160,472,894
2019: Santa Anita Park, 109,054—$174,000,574
2018: Churchill Downs, 112,672—$157,445,841
2017: Del Mar, 70,420—$166,077,486
2016: Santa Anita Park, 118,484—$156,861,811
2015: Keeneland, 94,652—$149,869,035
2014: Santa Anita Park, 98,319—$151,158,813
2013: Santa Anita Park, 94,628—$160,704,877
2012: Santa Anita Park, 89,742—$144,272,332
2011: Churchill Downs,105,820—$161,512,867
2010: Churchill Downs, 114,353—$173,857,697
2009: Santa Anita Park, 96,496—$153,271,176
2008: Santa Anita Park, 86,588—$155,740,328
2007: Monmouth Park, 69,584—$129,197,262