All-sources California handle down slightly from last year

All-sources handle at venues throughout California showed a decline of 6 percent through October compared to the corresponding period in 2023, according to figures presented at Thursday’s California Horse Racing Board meeting.

Handle at all meetings – Thoroughbreds, harness, and the lower-level Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse evening meeting at Los Alamitos – totaled $2.289 billion, compared to $2.434 billion in 2023.

October was a tough month for racing, with an 11 percent decline compared to 2023, from $217.3 million to $193.9 million. There were three fewer daytime meetings and one fewer evening meeting this year compared to 2023, a factor that contributed to the significant decline.

For the year, ontrack handle has declined 7 percent, from $155 million compared to $167.3 million in 2023. Other categories such as simulcast wagering, account wagering within California, and bets placed outside of the state on California racing have also declined, according to racing board data.

Account wagering sources are down 1 percent, from $885.1 million in 2023 to $872.2 million this year.

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