I’m so thrilled to be back on this journey with America’s Best Racing, striving for this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover with my gelding Bronn. I last blogged for ABR in 2021, as I was bringing along my mare Pied N True for the Makeover, living down in Texas. There is an internal understanding amongst RRP alumni that the Makeover can and will change your life… I had no idea how true this was and how my life would change forever.
Month: March 2023
Economic Indicators: Wagering Declines Five Percent In February, Purses Continue Upward Trend
Equibase, North American racing's official database, has released its February statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data.
February's metrics show a 5.21 percent decline in total wagering, a slightly-improved figure over the 7.19 percent decline from January of 2022 to January of 2023. Overall, year-to-date wagering shows a decline of 6.22 percent in the first two months of 2023.
The number of race days and races held both showed mild increases, leading to an average daily wagering figure that declined 7.37 percent.
The average field size in February rang in at 7.58 starters per race, a 0.04 percent increase over the same month in 2022. That's an improvement over the first month of 2023, which saw average field size decline 0.33 percent; the year-to-date field size averages out at 7.66 starters per race, a decline of 0.14 percent over the first two months of 2022.
Purses continue to show an upward trend: this February, the total purses offered was 7.08 percent higher than the same month of 2022, continuing the trend from January with year-to-date purses offered up 8.45 percent.
Equibase is continuing to provide monthly reporting of its Economic Indicators Advisories as a service to the industry and in consideration of the economic changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.
| February 2023 vs. February 2022 | |||
| Indicator | February 2023 | February 2022 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $863,337,949 | $910,782,914 | -5.21% |
| U.S. Purses | $81,187,588 | $75,816,927 | +7.08% |
| U.S. Race Days | 263 | 257 | +2.33% |
| U.S. Races | 2,228 | 2,159 | +3.20% |
| U.S. Starts | 16,894 | 16,364 | +3.24% |
| Average Field Size | 7.58 | 7.58 | +0.04% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,282,654 | $3,543,902 | -7.37% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $308,698 | $295,007 | +4.64% |
| YTD 2023 vs. YTD 2022 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,737,518,804 | $1,852,688,594 | -6.22% |
| U.S. Purses | $171,256,739 | $157,919,089 | +8.45% |
| U.S. Race Days | 528 | 516 | +2.33% |
| U.S. Races | 4,508 | 4,345 | +3.75% |
| U.S. Starts | 34,513 | 33,313 | +3.60% |
| Average Field Size | 7.66 | 7.67 | -0.14% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,290,755 | $3,590,482 | -8.35% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $324,350 | $306,045 | +5.98% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
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Thoroughbred Season At Will Rogers Downs Kicks Off Monday
The stakes are set for another season of live racing at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., with the 2023 spring season set for March 6 through May 17.
The 29-day season will have daily live racing every Monday and Tuesday, adding Wednesdays in April and May. Oklahoma-breds make up six of the eight stakes races worth $430,000. Average daily purses are estimated around $185,000, about a 10 percent increase from last year.
“With the exception of 2020, last spring's Thoroughbred meet resulted in the best overall handle in track history. In this time, we have found an audience that enjoys racing early in the week,” said John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Starting earlier in the season is a gamble, but we are optimistic the schedule will be well received. The shift allows us to offer more opportunity to the horsemen.”
The new race schedule features the $55,000 guaranteed Miranda Diane Stakes on March 27, along with the TRAO Classic Sprint that also holds a $55,000 guarantee. April brings the $50,000 guaranteed Wilma Mankiller Stakes on April 17 and the Highland Ice Stakes on April 18. May holds the Will Rogers Stakes, Cinema Stakes, Cherokee Nation Classic Cup and More Than Even Stakes, each with a $55,000 guarantee.
For more information on the 2023 Will Rogers Downs spring racing season, visit https://www.cherokeecasino.com/will-rogers-downs/amenities/races.
Located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is northeast Oklahoma's home to on and off track betting, Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred races, live entertainment, and more. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab or call (918) 283-8800.
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High Winds, Heavy Rains: Golden Gate Fields To Run Friday’s Card On Thursday, March 9
Golden Gate Fields track officials have announced that the decision has been made to move the Friday, March 10, live race card at the Berkeley, Calif. track to Thursday, March 9, out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with industry stakeholders.
The national weather service is forecasting high winds and heavy rain for the Bay Area on Friday.
Eight races are on the program for the now-Thursday live race card at Golden Gate. First post time remains at 12:45 PM.
Santa Anita Park, also running on Thursday, has an eight-race card with first post at 12:30 PM.
With both California tracks in play on Thursday, the Golden Hour Double and Late Pick 4 wagers will be offered.
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