Economic Indicators: September Derby Bolsters Monthly Handle

Equibase, LLC released its monthly report on Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing this Monday, Oct. 5. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Equibase is currently providing monthly reporting of its Economic Indicators Advisories. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.

The Kentucky Derby's delayed date on the first Saturday in September caused a significant wagering jump for the year-over-year comparisons to the same month in 2019, an increase of 29.64 percent. Churchill reported a significant decrease in Kentucky Derby day wagering, however, down nearly 50 percent compared to the race held on the first Saturday in May in 2019.

Churchill Downs attributed the decline in handle for this year's Derby Day program to the lack of on-track wagering, fewer horses per race including in the Kentucky Derby race, and a prohibitive favorite in the Derby.

Overall, wagering in 2020 is down just 2.86 percent through September, a jump from the difference of -6.20 percent reported at the end of August. Average daily wagering continues to show a positive trend as well, up 36.10 percent through the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019.

September 2020 vs. September 2019
Indicator September 2020 September 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $1,039,737,336 $801,998,134 +29.64%
U.S. Purses $110,251,841 $118,229,293 -6.75%
U.S. Race Days 365 412 -11.41%
U.S. Races 3,101 3,329 -6.85%
U.S. Starts 24,447 25,231 -3.11%
Average Field Size 7.88 7.58 +4.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,848,595 $1,946,597 +46.34%
Average Purses Per Race Day $302,060 $286,964 +5.26%

3rd QTR 2020 vs. 3rd QTR 2019
Indicator 3rd QTR 2020 3rd QTR 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,293,292,589 $2,921,407,748 +12.73%
U.S. Purses $305,013,587 $349,865,237 -12.82%
U.S. Race Days 1,208 1,411 -14.39%
U.S. Races 9,989 11,097 -9.98%
U.S. Starts 76,402 80,738 -5.37%
Average Field Size 7.65 7.28 +5.13%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,726,236 $2,070,452 +31.67%
Average Purses Per Race Day $252,495 $247,956 +1.83%

YTD 2020 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator YTD 2020 YTD 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $8,348,815,108 $8,594,182,019 -2.86%
U.S. Purses $629,176,645 $893,867,369 -29.61%
U.S. Race Days 2,509 3,515 -28.62%
U.S. Races 20,895 28,554 -26.82%
U.S. Starts 164,476 210,977 -22.04%
Average Field Size 7.87 7.39 +6.53%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,327,547 $2,445,002 +36.10%
Average Purses Per Race Day $250,768 $254,301 -1.39%

 * Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

 

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Lone Star Concludes Thoroughbred Meet With Record Increase In Average Daily Handle

Lone Star Park concluded its 24th Thoroughbred Racing Season on Wednesday, August 12 with a record $2.1 Million in average daily handle from off track sources. The previous high mark was in 2002 when the average was just over $2 Million per day. The meet saw a record increase of 131% in average daily all-source handle from 2019.

Overall this season marked the highest amount handled per day since 2004, the same year Lone Star Park hosted the Breeders' Cup, with an average daily all-source handle of just over $2.2 Million.

“With the success of this season behind us, we are eager to keep the momentum going into next year and feel the future is bright for horse racing at Lone Star Park and in Texas,” said Kent Slabotsky, Vice President of Operations.

Total Purses paid increased by $95,000 per day or 34% as part of House Bill 2463 from $166,000 per day up to $261,000 per day. This increase in purses led to an increase in field size by over 20%.

Highlights of the season included witnessing jockey Stewart Elliott, famed rider of Smarty Jones, who just missed the Triple Crown of 2004, winning his career 5,000th race here.

Meet leaders were Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen who won 50 races worth $1,463,385 during the season. As Lone Star Park's all-time leading trainer, this was his 13th season leading title here at the Grand Prairie track.

Jockey Ramon A. Vazquez was the top among the jockeys with 58 wins totaling $1,343,946 in purse money. This was his first ever season riding at Lone Star Park.

Mike Sisk of M and M Racing was top owner of the meet. His stable scored 29 wins worth a total of $587,235 in earnings.

Lone Star Park's 2020 Quarter Horse Season opens Friday, September 4 and runs through Saturday, November 28.

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