Handle Down for 2018 Breeders' Cup
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
The Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup crowd at Churchill Downs
Breeders' Cup announced total handle for its two-day event Nov. 2-3 was $157,445,841 (for the full cards at Churchill Downs, including non-Breeders' Cup races), the fifth-highest number since the organization adopted a two-day format in 2007 but a decrease from 2017's total of $166,077,486, when the races were held at Del Mar.
Total handle on Saturday's nine Breeders' Cup races was $96,018,060, a 4% decrease from the $99,833,643 bet on the nine Breeders' Cup races in 2017. Common-pool handle on Saturday's 12-race Breeders' Cup card was $105,229,197. Before this year, Breeders' Cup handle had increased for two consecutive years.
Saturday's attendance was 70,423, and the two-day attendance total was 112,672, the third-highest in Breeders' Cup history. Attendance in 2017 at Del Mar was capped at 37,500 each day.
"Once again, the Breeders' Cup proved a fitting showcase for world-championship performances and the best in international racing," said Breeders' Cup president and CEO Craig Fravel. "We want to thank our gracious hosts from Churchill Downs, the greater Louisville community, (and) our fans around the world, as well the owners and breeders who participate in our racing programs, for an incredible week capped by two extraordinary days of racing."
This year was the ninth time the Breeders' Cup has been held at Churchill Downs. The Breeders' Cup will return to Santa Anita Park in 2019 and will be held at Keeneland in 2020 and Del Mar in 2021.
Breeders' Cup Two-Day Attendance and Handle (Common-Pool) History:
2017 - Del Mar - 70,420; $166,077,486
2016 - Santa Anita Park - 118,484; $156,861,811
2015 - Keeneland - 94,652; $149,869,035
2014 - Santa Anita Park - 98,319; $151,158,813
2013 - Santa Anita Park - 94,628; $160,704,877
2012 - Santa Anita Park - 89,742; $144,272,332
2011 - Churchill Downs - 105,820; $161,512,867
2010 - Churchill Downs - 114,353; $173,857,697
2009 - Santa Anita Park - 96,496; $153,271,176
2008 - Santa Anita Park - 86,588; $155,740,328
2007 - Monmouth Park - 69,584; $129,197,262