BC Day 1: Record Crowd, Slight Handle Drop
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Breeders' Cup reported a record Friday crowd for the first day of its World Championships Oct. 30.
Breeders' Cup reported a record Friday crowd for the first day of its World Championships Oct. 30 at Keeneland and a slight drop in total pari-mutuel handle compared with 2014.
The attendance of 44,947 is the most for a Friday since the World Championships became a two-day event in 2007 at Monmouth Park. The figure is 21% higher than last year's crowd of 37,205 on Friday at Santa Anita Park.
The previous Friday high of 41,614 came at Churchill Downs in 2010.
Total wagering for the 10-race card at Keeneland was $44,949,165, down 1.9% from $45,815,111 last year, Breeders' Cup said. On-track handle on the card, however, increased 8% to $7,550,279 from $6,970,456 at Santa Anita.
"With an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd and a great job by our hosts at Keeneland, the 2015 Breeders' Cup got off to a great start today," Breeders' Cup president and chief executive officer Craig Fravel said in a release.
Keeneland is a first-time Breeders' Cup host. The last time the event was held in Kentucky was 2011 at Churchill.
"Keeneland is proud to have hosted such a spectacular day of racing," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. "Together with our partner, the Breeders' Cup, we thank our fans and our horsemen for their loyal support."
The Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup program will have 12 races.