Handle Declines at Churchill Fall Meet

Churchill Downs wrapped up 2014 with a double-digit decline in all-sources wagering during the 24-day fall meet that concluded Nov. 30.



According to figures obtained from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, handle totaled $95,225,100, down 19% from the $117,642,655 wagered during the 25-day fall meet in 2013. Average daily wagering of $3,967,712 represented a decline of 15.7% from the $4,705,706 average a year ago. Churchill does not report handle or attendance, but the wagering figures are reported to the state.



The 2014 was initially scheduled to consist of 26 days but the Nov. 19-20 cards were canceled due to frozen track conditions.



According to The Jockey Club Information Systems, a total of $8,627,495 in purses was paid, compared with a total of $8,223,194 during the 2013 fall meet. Average daily purses for the 2014 meet was $359,479, up 9.3% from the 2013 average daily purse of $328,928.There were an average 8.56 runners per race this year, down slightly from the 8.81 average a year ago.



With the fall meet down, the Louisville track posted wagering declines during all three meets of 2014. Handle during the spring meet was down 11.5% and wagering in September was off 16.15%.



Churchill officials cited a decrease in average runners per race as a contributing factor in the handle decline at the spring meet. For the year, there were 5,785 starts in 743 races for an average 7.79 runners per race, compared with an 8.16 average in 2013 when 771 races generated 6,291 starts.



Prior to the spring meet, Churchill announced an increase in the takeout rate (the money removed from the pools before winning wagers are paid) from 19% to 22% on win, place, and show and exotic wagers. The increase led the Horseplayers Association of North America to call for a boycott of betting on Churchill's races by its members.