Handle Improves During 2017 Classic Season
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Photo: Maryland Jockey Club/Jon Kral
Bettors on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course
In terms of handle, United States horse racing enjoyed a steady second quarter, an especially important timeframe because it includes the three Triple Crown races.
According to Thoroughbred racing economic indicators released June 6 by Equibase, wagering on U.S. races for the months April-June reached $3,083,467,410, up 1.2% compared with the same three months last year. That improvement occurred despite a 4.5% reduction in the number of races to 10,311 for the quarter.
Two of the three classic hosts reported record wagering on their biggest race days. Churchill Downs noted a 12% increase in its Kentucky Derby Day handle, compared with last year, to a record $139.2 million. Maryland Jockey Club officials said Preakness Day handle improved 14% compared with last year to $97,168,658, also a record.
While the New York Racing Association reported a 5.7% decline in Belmont Day handle to $93.7 million, it noted that wagering on its three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival improved 1.6% to $124.7 million.
While second-quarter wagering was up slightly despite fewer races and race days (down 4.9% to 1,264), purses declined 3.2% to $284,021,392.
In reducing its dates and races, the industry appears to be finding its level. Average wagering per race day improved 6.4% to $2,439,452 in the second quarter and average purses per race day improved 1.8% to $224,700.
The improved second-quarter handle brought the year-to-date handle into the black. Wagering for the first six months on U.S. races is up 0.2% to $5,556,350,090. Purses for the year are up 1.2% to $496,699,115, benefiting from the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), which had its purses fueled by 12, $1 million buy-ins from owners and other stakeholders.
Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators
For June / 2nd Quarter 2017
|
June 2017 vs. June 2016 |
|||
|
Indicator |
June 2017 |
June 2016 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$932,595,475 |
$897,393,962 |
+3.92% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$98,631,707 |
$102,584,696 |
-3.85% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
488 |
502 |
-2.79% |
|
U.S. Races |
3,866 |
3,986 |
-3.01% |
|
U.S. Starts |
28,586 |
29,528 |
-3.19% |
|
Average Field Size |
7.39 |
7.41 |
-0.19% |
|
Average Wagering Per Race Day |
$1,911,056 |
$1,787,637 |
+6.90% |
|
Average Purses Per Race Day |
$202,114 |
$204,352 |
-1.10% |
|
2nd QTR 2017 vs. 2nd QTR 2016 |
|||
|
Indicator |
2nd QTR 2017 |
2nd QTR 2016 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$3,083,467,410 |
$3,045,612,027 |
+1.24% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$284,021,392 |
$293,364,061 |
-3.18% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
1,264 |
1,329 |
-4.89% |
|
U.S. Races |
10,311 |
10,797 |
-4.50% |
|
U.S. Starts |
76,937 |
81,199 |
-5.25% |
|
Average Field Size |
7.46 |
7.52 |
-0.78% |
|
Average Wagering Per Race Day |
$2,439,452 |
$2,291,657 |
+6.45% |
|
Average Purses Per Race Day |
$224,700 |
$220,740 |
+1.79% |
|
YTD 2017 vs. YTD 2016 |
|||
|
Indicator |
YTD 2017 |
YTD 2016 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$5,556,350,090 |
$5,544,421,914 |
+0.22% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$496,699,115 |
$490,712,320 |
+1.22% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
2,143 |
2,176 |
-1.52% |
|
U.S. Races |
17,861 |
18,079 |
-1.21% |
|
U.S. Starts |
136,198 |
140,827 |
-3.29% |
|
Average Field Size |
7.63 |
7.79 |
-2.11% |
|
Average Wagering Per Race Day |
$2,592,791 |
$2,547,988 |
+1.76% |
|
Average Purses Per Race Day |
$231,777 |
$225,511 |
+2.78% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.