Handle Even, But Keeneland BC Gets High Marks

Pari-mutuel handle on this year's Breeders' Cup was about even with last year, and officials said Keeneland measured up well as a first-time host site given its investment in the infrastructure needed to accommodate the event.

The two-day common-pool handle Oct. 30-31 totaled $150,574,656, down one-half of 1% from $151,794,174 last year, when the Cup was held at Santa Anita Park. On-track wagering, however, increased about $500,000 to $20,611,114 from $20,117,488 in 2014.

For the 12-race program Oct. 31, handle totaled $105,625,491, down a tick from $105,979,062 at Santa Anita. Final wagering numbers, which will include separate pools in foreign countries that took the signal, will be released the week of Nov. 1.

Breeders' Cup reported Saturday attendance of 50,155 after Keeneland set a Friday Cup record of 44,947. The combined attendance of 95,102 was off slightly from 2014.

All the numbers for Friday and Saturday are Keeneland records.

Keeneland invested heavily in upscale temporary facilities, by far the most extensive in Breeders' Cup history. That led ticket and seating revenue to double from last year, officials said.

"This was a day that people will look back on and tell people they were here, and it's exactly why the Breeders' Cup was created, to showcase the very best of our sport," Breeders' Cup president and chief executive officer Craig Fravel said. "We're thrilled with the crowd over both days, the strong business levels, and our gracious hosts here at Keeneland and the greater Lexington area."

Fravel and Breeders' Cup chief operating officer Bob Elliston earlier said the community involvement in the event was unprecedented and will be used as a template for future host sites.

"The Breeders' Cup at Keeneland has been a tremendous success in every way," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. "From the brilliant performances of the Breeders' Cup champions, both equine and human, to the huge crowds on-track and the unprecedented way in which the Central Kentucky community embraced this great event.

"I couldn't be prouder of the Keeneland team, who executed operations at the highest levels to provide guests with an incredibly memorable two days of racing."