Handle Trending Slightly Up Through August
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Photo: Kentucky Downs
Thoroughbred Racing
Through the first two-thirds of 2016, total handle is up slightly and total purses are down slightly, according to Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators released Sept. 5 by Equibase Co.
In terms of handle, this season shapes up to be similar to 2015 when betting improved 1.2%. Through August, pari-mutuel wagering was up 0.95% to $7.595 billion. Purses are off 0.66% this year to $714.6 million, a trend that if it continues would mark a fourth straight season of purse declines of less than 2%.
The flat total numbers have been registered at a time that total races continue to be reduced, down 2.79% this year to 26,374. Average handle per race day is up 4.3% to $2.35 million and purses per race day have improved 2.63% to $221,372.
The sharp declines in August numbers can largely be explained by 2015 offering five Saturdays and just four this year.
Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators For August 2016
| August 2016 vs. August 2015 | ||||
|
Indicator |
August 2016 |
August 2015 |
% Change |
|
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$1,035,956,346 |
$1,143,100,056 |
-9.37% |
|
|
U.S. Purses |
$107,865,039 |
$121,308,233 |
-11.08% |
|
|
U.S. Race Days |
479 |
510 |
-6.08% |
|
|
U.S. Races |
3,835 |
4,069 |
-5.75% |
|
|
U.S. Starts |
28,754 |
31,594 |
-8.99% |
|
|
Average Field Size |
7.50 |
7.76 |
-3.44% |
|
|
Average Wagering Per Race Day |
$2,162,748 |
$2,241,373 |
-3.51% |
|
|
Average Purses Per Race Day |
$225,188 |
$237,859 |
-5.33% |
|
|
YTD 2016 vs. YTD 2015 |
|||
|
Indicator |
YTD 2016 |
YTD 2015 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$7,595,054,632 |
$7,523,486,785 |
+0.95% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$714,589,283 |
$719,338,267 |
-0.66% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
3,228 |
3,335 |
-3.21% |
|
U.S. Races |
26,374 |
27,130 |
-2.79% |
|
U.S. Starts |
202,549 |
208,444 |
-2.83% |
|
Average Field Size |
7.68 |
7.68 |
-0.04% |
|
Average Wagering Per Race Day |
$2,352,867 |
$2,255,918 |
+4.30% |
|
Average Purses Per Race Day |
$221,372 |
$215,694 |
+2.63% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.