Record Handle for Derby, Derby Day Card

Wagering from all-sources was the highest all-time on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) race May 4 as on-track fans weathered a steady late-afternoon rain to watch Country House capture the Derby following the disqualification of Maximum Security on a sloppy track.

Wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $250.9 million, an 11% increase over the 2018 total and previous record of $225.7 million. Wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby race increased 10% to $165.5 million from the previous record of $149.9 million set last year. 

The wagering record includes $4.1 million of handle wagered in Japan. This was the first year the Kentucky Derby has ever been offered for wagering in that country.    

Attendance of 150,729 decreased 4% compared with last year, as the threat of an all-day rain forecast likely kept many fans away.

This year's Derby purse was increased $1 million to a guaranteed $3 million, making it the richest in history for America's greatest race and first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.  

"We are deeply grateful to all of the fans of the Kentucky Derby around the world who once again made this an amazing and memorable experience," said Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen. "We expect the Kentucky Derby Week Adjusted EBITDA (adjusted earnings) to reflect another record with $4.5 to $6 million of growth over last year."  

CDI reported its advance-deposit wagering outlet, TwinSpires, recorded $48.4 million in handle on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, an increase of 20% over the prior year. TwinSpires' handle on the Kentucky Derby race alone was $30.2 million, up 23% over 2018. 

All-sources handle for Opening Night, April 27, through Derby Day, May 4, rose to a record $343.0 million, up 10% from the previous record of $311.2 million set last year. Attendance for those five days was 360,237, down 4% over 2018.