Churchill fall meet handle dips slightly

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – All-sources wagering at the Churchill Downs fall meet that ended Sunday averaged $5.02 million per card, which is slightly less than what was handled in 2017, the last time a Breeders’ Cup was not held here.

Gross wagering during the 25-day meet that began Oct. 27 was $125,505,219. A scheduled 26th day, Nov. 13, was canceled because of freezing weather.

Average handle during the 21-day fall meet in 2017 was $5.11 million on total handle of $107.4 million. Comparisons to the 2018 fall meet are not relevant because the two-day Breeders’ Cup was run during that 21-day meet. Handle for the 19 non-BC days in 2018 was about $108.6 million.

Wagering figures were released Monday by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission staff as tracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc. do not release such numbers.

Purse payouts for the 2019 fall meet were not immediately available, although record levels were sure to be established. Churchill purses reached an all-time high at its three 2019 meets – spring, September, and fall – chiefly because of new revenues from the slots-like historical horse racing machines at the nearby Derby City Gaming.

Average field size during the 2019 fall meet was 8.9 horses per race, while favorites won at a 29 percent clip (76 for 262).

On the racetrack, Corey Lanerie led all jockeys with 33 wins and more than $2 million in purses, marking the 19th time he has led a Churchill meet, all since 2012. Steve Asmussen sent out 23 winners to extend his own record for training titles, to 22, at Churchill, while Lothenbach Stables was the leading owner with eight wins.

Live racing returns to Churchill on April 25.