Tampa Bay Downs posted significant gains in most major categories during the 2021-2022 season when compared to the 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) meet–including average daily all-sources wagering handle and total purse money paid to horsemen.
“Our Thoroughbred racing product has been very well-received, both by Tampa Bay area fans and the simulcast market throughout the country,” said Peter Berube, the track's vice president and general manager, who attributed the increases in large part to the ongoing upgrade in the quality of racing and the attractiveness of the turf program. “The Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby card (Mar. 12) generated almost $21 million in wagering, which represented a 36% increase from the previous record of $15.2 million set last year and was the most of any racetrack in the country that day. The Racing Office, led by (Racing Secretary) Allison De Luca, does a fantastic job of putting together highly competitive cards and making owners and trainers aware of all Tampa Bay Downs has to offer,” Berube said.
This season's total live all-sources handle for 89 days of racing was $401,467,564, a 1.72% increase from last season and 18.62% above the 2018-2019 mark. Total live on-track handle of $16,324,991 was a whopping 23.41% above last season and 2.98% over 2018-2019. Wagering handle per starter was $64,317, up 10.19% from last season and 28.08% from 2018-2019. The average handle per race was $488,998. Tampa Bay Downs paid out $18,204,465 in purse money in 2021-2022, up 8.02% from 2020-2021 and 17.03% from 2018-2019. The average daily purse distribution of $204,545 is a track record.
Thoroughbred racing will return to Tampa Bay Downs June 30 and July 1 for the 10th annual Summer Festival of Racing.
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