U.S. Wagering, Purses Held Steady in 2013

United States race dates declined by 3.15% in 2013 when compared to the previous year, yet total wagering and purses held steady, according to the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators released by Equibase Jan. 5.



In spite of a poor December 2013 showing, in which handle on U.S. races fell by 10.51% over the previous year, total wagering for the year rose by .06% from $10,874,189,902 in 2012 to $10,881,239,410. The figures include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.



Purses for the year showed a minuscule decrease of .04% from 2012; the total was $1,123,856,097 in 2013 compared to $1,124,254,126.



The total number of race days (actual race programs) for 2013 was 5,143, down from 2012's total of 5,310.



For the month of December, wagering on U.S. races totaled $706,764,330 in 2013, a sharp decline from the 2012 total handle of $789,805,605. The total number of race days was off 3.58%, from 335 in December 2012 compared to 323 this year, contributing to the drop-off.



Purses for the month of December also declined by 6.95%, from $71,476,104 in 2012 compared to $66,511,685.