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Handle Up Again, Purses Way Up in November

Betting on U.S. Thoroughbred races was up again year over year in November 2021, while the industry saw a major spike in purses for the month, according to figures released by Equibase Monday. The numbers continue the positive economic trends the sport has seen this year as it continues to emerge from the toll taken by the pandemic.

A total of $961,813,331 was wagered on U.S. races in November, up 7.4% from the November 2020 figure of $895,546,532. The November 2021 number is more flat when compared with November 2019, when $945,843,009 was wagered, but total handle for 2021 has now surpassed $11.4 billion, which is a jump of 12.18% over the total through November in 2020 and a 10.49% improvement on the number from the end of November in 2019. Wagering on U.S. races is likely to top $12 billion by the end of the year, a total that hasn't been reached since 2009, according to statistics from The Jockey Club.

If there is a small caveat to the positive handle numbers, it is that wagering per race day was down significantly in November at $3,305,200, a 17.33% decrease from $3,997,976 in November 2020, and for the year average wagering per race day stands at $2,986,058, a drop of 9.78% from $3,309,845 at this point in 2020. Compared to 2019, however, the 2021 numbers are still a drastic improvement, with the November figure representing a 12.04% jump and the year-to-date number showing a 20.67% increase.

Purses have also seen a dramatic improvement in 2021, although those figures are more of a reversion to the mean of 2019 as opposed to meaningful improvements on pre-pandemic levels. A total of $117,678,625 was paid out this November, a 27.78% improvement on the November 2020 number of $92,095,830, but just a 1.66% increase from the November 2019 total of $115,756,315. For the year, purses have totaled just over $1.1 billion, a huge 36.17% increase from the pandemic-affected number of $812,236,796 through November in 2020, but the 2021 number is essentially flat compared to 2019's purse figures through November.

Field size continues to be a bugaboo for the industry, as average number of horses per race was 7.7 in November, a drop of 7.79% from 8.35 in November 2020, and for the year the number is just 7.33, a 7.34% decrease from 7.91 in 2020. Field size averaged 8 and 7.49 for the month and year, respectively, at this point in 2019.

The post Handle Up Again, Purses Way Up in November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Economic Indicators: Record Breeders’ Cup Handle Leads Slight Wagering Increases In November

Equibase, North American racing's official database, released Monday its November 2021 statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data, along with year-to-date and 2019 and 2020 numbers. The database distributes 2020 and 2021 numbers and includes 2019's data for comparisons to pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers.

Led by a record handle at the Del Mar-hosted Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 5 and 6 ($183,260,127, a two-day record for the championship event), November's total wagering numbers were up 7.40 percent over the same month in 2020. Part of the reason for the increase could be the return of in-person attendance to the Breeders' Cup, which was severely restricted at Keeneland in 2020.

When Del Mar last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2017, it posted a then-record handle of $166,077,486. The new mark is 10.4 percent higher than that.

Compared to 2019, this November's handle was only 0.62 percent higher, though average wagering per race day sustained a solid 12.04 percent bump between November of 2019 and November of 2021.

Though purses and race days are both up over 25 percent from the same month in 2020, average daily wagering saw a sharp decrease of 17.33 percent, while the year-to-date figures for average wagering are also down nearly 10 percent. That contrasts sharply with the numbers from 2019, which put average wagering up over 20 percent from the first 11 months of 2019 to the same period in 2021.

The discrepancy could be explained by the increased attention horse racing experienced during the harshest months of the pandemic in 2020; this year's return to a more normal sports schedule and in-person activities could definitely play a role in where wagering dollars have been spent.

November 2021 vs. November 2020
Indicator	November 2021	November 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$961,813,331	$895,546,532	+7.40%
U.S. Purses	$117,678,625	$92,095,830	+27.78%
U.S. Race Days	291	224	+29.91%
U.S. Races	2,440	1,945	+25.45%
U.S. Starts	18,782	16,236	+15.68%
Average Field Size	7.70	8.35	-7.79%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,305,200	$3,997,976	-17.3`3%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$404,394	$411,142	-1.64%

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$11,409,728,296	$10,171,153,164	+12.18%
U.S. Purses	$1,106,048,142	$812,236,796	+36.17%
U.S. Race Days	3,821	3,073	+24.34%
U.S. Races	31,415	25,692	+22.28%
U.S. Starts	230,147	203,122	+13.30%
Average Field Size	7.33	7.91	-7.34%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,986,058	$3,309,845	-9.78%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,466	$264,314	+9.52%

2019 Comparisons:

November 2021 vs. November 2019
Indicator	November 2021	November 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$961,813,331	$955,843,009	+0.62%
U.S. Purses	$117,678,625	$115,756,315	+1.66%
U.S. Race Days	291	324	-10.19%
U.S. Races	2,440	2,730	-10.62%
U.S. Starts	18,782	21,839	-14.00%
Average Field Size	7.70	8.00	-3.78%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,305,200	$2,950,133	+12.04%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$404,394	$357,273	+13.19%

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$11,409,728,296	$10,326,096,192	+10.49%
U.S. Purses	$1,106,048,142	$1,101,605,086	+0.40%
U.S. Race Days	3,821	4,173	-8.44%
U.S. Races	31,415	34,038	-7.71%
U.S. Starts	230,147	254,992	-9.74%
Average Field Size	7.33	7.49	-2.21%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,986,058	$2,474,502	+20.67%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,466	$263,984	+9.65%

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

The post Economic Indicators: Record Breeders’ Cup Handle Leads Slight Wagering Increases In November appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Indiana Grand Season Concludes With Record Handle Numbers

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing ended Thursday, Nov. 11, completing 123 days of racing. The meet Both breeds brought in record numbers for the year, showing a 47 percent increase in overall handle compared to similar dates in 2019.

With the shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, handle figures are compared to 2019 when a full schedule was conducted at Indiana Grand. Total handle for 2021 came in at $223,204,265 compared to handle in 2019 at $151,791,334. The highlight of the meet was another record setting day for Indiana Derby with total handle reaching $6,292,388. The 2021 running of the Indiana Derby marked the third straight year for an all-sources handle track record for a single program.

“Coming off a strong, but abbreviated 2020 season, we entered the 2021 meet with high expectations in terms of handle,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We are very pleased that we were able to exceed all of our goals. We have so much to celebrate on the business end of our racing program, but more importantly, we were able to offer a strong racing program thanks to the support of both our Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred horsemen. Our partnership with both breeds allows us to provide promotions and events to complement our racing program. We are really looking forward to the 2022 racing season to continue the momentum.”

On Thursday, as the 2021 racing season came to a close, the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) made a surprise presentation to Halstrom with the “HBPA Excellence of Service Award.”

Brian Elmore, Executive Director of Indiana HBPA, was joined by several board members for the presentation in the winner's circle to Halstrom, who is in his second year at the helm of the racing operations at Indiana Grand. Elmore noted the gratitude from the horsemen's organization for Halstrom's leadership and guidance during the 19th season of racing that has brought in a record-setting year in handle.

Elmore noted the best way to honor Halstrom was to read the plaque, which said, “In recognition of your outstanding commitment and leadership toward the advancement of Thoroughbred horse racing in Indiana. Given on this day, Nov. 11, 2021.”

In addition to working closely with the horsemen this season, Halstrom has implemented several positive changes to the racing program, from lower takeout rates to unique wagering incentives, including a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 on closing day as a way to say “thank you” to all racing fans who watched and wagered on Indiana racing in 2021.

“We've had a tremendous year in racing and it's thanks in part to the cooperation and support of the horsemen,” said Halstrom “I am very honored to receive this award, and it has special meaning since it comes from the horsemen's organization. We work very hard to put on a great show for them and are constantly looking for ways to create a fun and exciting backdrop to showcase our racing product.”

Four days during the season topped $3 million in handle, including the closing day program on Veteran's Day Nov. 11 featuring a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 and Charity Challenge with 20 handicappers submitting $250 tickets into the wager to raise funding for Homeless Veterans and Families of Indiana. Total handle for the day was $3,150,488, the highest handle ever recorded on a Thursday program in the history of Indiana Grand.

Quarter Horse racing also showed major increases in 2021. Handle for the sprinters topped $1 million twice with the Saturday, July 3 program setting a new Quarter Horse handle record of $1,201,604. A total of six all Quarter Horse racing days were offered in 2021.

Purse money also set new records. Both breeds combined included purses of $36,439,755 over the 123-day meet. A new record for daily purse distribution was also set offering an average of $298,686 per day.

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

The post Indiana Grand Season Concludes With Record Handle Numbers appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Average Daily Handle At Belmont Fall Meet Over $10 Million; All Sources Up 19.7 Percent

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Wednesday that the recently concluded 31-day Belmont Park fall meet generated $10,346,669 in average daily handle from all sources and $320,746,749 in total handle from all sources.

Average daily handle at the Belmont fall meet has grown considerably since 2019, when the 37-day fall meet generated $7,430,533 in average daily handle from all sources. The 2020 Belmont fall meet, which was contested over 27 live race days, generated $9,923,813 in average daily handle from all sources, a 33.6 percent increase over 2019.

With this year's 4.3 percent increase over 2020, average daily handle for the Belmont Park fall meet has risen 39 percent since 2019.

The total all sources handle of $320,746,749 represents a 19.7 percent increase over the 2020 Belmont Park fall meet, which saw total all sources handle of $267,942,961.

Originally scheduled for 28 days of live racing, NYRA extended the 2021 Belmont fall meet to include three additional dates from Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 7. As a result, the fall meet was contested over 31 days.

With the return of fans and the easing of COVID-19 protocols, on-track handle was $30,463,824, a 54 percent increase over 2020, when only a limited number of owners were permitted in attendance. On-track handle in 2019, which was contested over 37 days, was $32,523,57.

A total of 143 races were run on the turf in 2021 with 16 forced off the turf due to weather. The 2020 Belmont fall meet saw 118 races on the turf with 24 races forced off the turf.

Average field size for the 299 total races run during the fall meet was 8.03, a 1.9 percent increase over 2020.

Highlighted by the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 4, the 15-day Aqueduct fall meet begins on Thursday and continues through Sunday, December 5.

New York City has established strict vaccine requirements for nearly all indoor settings. Accordingly, and in compliance with New York City law, anyone seeking to enter Aqueduct Racetrack must show proof of vaccination in order to gain admittance.

Admission to Aqueduct, which will be open to the public on live race days only, is free of charge. The gates will open daily at 11 a.m.

Fans visiting Aqueduct should use the Clubhouse Entrance to provide the required proof of vaccination. Preferred parking will be $10 daily in the Clubhouse Lot and general parking will be in the Conduit Lot. All parking fees must be paid via credit card.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit NYRA.com/ADATR.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

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