Spring Meet All-Sources Handle at Churchill Downs Rises
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
A bettor examines a mutuel ticket on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs
All-sources handle for the Churchill Downs spring meet that concluded June 26 climbed to more than $509.3 million, a 4% increase over 2019, according to figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
Handle averaged more than $13.4 million over 38 race dates, the same number of programs as in 2019. The 2020 spring meet had 27 days of racing after it was delayed due to the onset of COVID-19.
Meet handle was down sharply to $240.2 million last year over a shorter season and with Churchill closed to paid attendance and with the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) postponed until September. Derby Week includes Kentucky Oaks Day and is the track's most popular period of racing.
Derby Week betting last September largely came from off-track and via advance deposit wagering companies. Only horsemen, media, and owners were permitted on site.
Fans returned to Churchill Downs this spring as COVID-19 restrictions were eased, though not initially to full capacity. A crowd of 51,838 attended the May 1 Kentucky Derby, at the time the largest crowd at a sporting event since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but only a third of the 150,729 fans that packed Churchill Downs in 2019.
On-track wagering dropped 33% for the meet relative to 2019, with Derby Week attendance restrictions contributing. ADW wagering rose 35% from two years ago, according to KHRC figures.