Churchill Downs all-sources handle up 10.2 percent to $13.1 million per card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – All-sources handle at the Churchill Downs spring meet that ended Saturday averaged more than $13.1 million per card, up 10.2 percent over the corresponding 2018 meet, according to figures released Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Gross all-sources handle at the 38-day meet, which began April 27, was $499,766,224, up by the same 10.2 percent over the spring meet last year, when 38 dates also were run. Ontrack handle figures were not immediately available.

Purse levels were easily a record, helped substantially by revenues from the historical-racing machines at the nearby company-owned Derby City Gaming facility, which became operational last September. Churchill officials on Monday reported a gross payout of $32.2 million, an increase of $9.9 million (nearly 45 percent) over last year. The per-card purse average was about $846,000. After the May 4 Kentucky Derby, the average was slightly more than $600,000.

On the racetrack, Steve Asmussen (28 wins) was the Churchill meet leader for the 21st time, extending his own record, while jockey Corey Lanerie (43 wins) was a Churchill meet leader for the 17th time, all since 2012. Among owners, there was a three-way tie (six wins) among Calumet Farm, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and Maggi Moss.

Field size averaged 8.46 horses per race, up from 7.78 last spring, while favorites won at a 33 percent clip (123 for 372).