Economic Indicators Show January Handle Up

Despite declines in race days and number of races during January, wagering on U.S. racing for the first month of 2016 rose 2.2% to $830,526,891 when compared with the $812,581,024 total handle during January 2015, according to the Economic Indicators from Equibase Company.

With many Midwest and East Coast tracks impacted by inclement winter weather, Equibase reported the number of race days in the U.S. last month fell 8.17% to 281 from 306 a year ago, with the 2,392 races representing a 6.09% decline from the 2,547 figure in January 2015. Also, the number of starts fell 4.33% to 20,256, from 21,172.

Despite those racing declines, total handle improved. When the handle figures are calculated for average wagering per day during the 281 race days, the $2,955,612 average represented an 11.3% increase.

With the decreases in race days, races, and starters, purse distribution during the month totaled $63,011,538, down 4.57% from $66,026,744 last year. Average purses per race day rose 3.9% to $224,240 from $215,773 a year ago.