Handle dips at Churchill Downs fall meet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gross all-sources wagering handle at the Churchill Downs September meet that ended Sunday totaled $33,217,607, down 14 percent from corresponding figures from last September. However, there were only 11 days run this year versus 12 last year, meaning the daily all-sources handle of $3,019,782 was down 6.6 percent from last year ($3,234,190).

Weather was close to perfect throughout the meet, which began Sept. 11, with every race run over a fast main track or firm turf. Ontrack wagering on Churchill races grossed $3,457,289, which was down 17 percent from 2014; the per-day average of $314,299 was down nearly 10 percent.

Per-day purse payouts were $327,817, up less than 2 percent from 2014, although gross purses ($3.6 million) were down 6.7 percent because of the shorter meet. Field size averaged 8.0 horses per race, and favorites won at a 30 percent clip (33 for 109).

This information was provided by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission personnel through an open-records request. Churchill Downs Inc. tracks do not release handle figures. On-track wagering and attendance figures were not readily available.

Churchill officials have argued their September meet is hurt by overlapping competition with Kentucky Downs and they will seek to resolve the conflict when the KHRC assigns 2016 dates.

This is the third year Churchill has run a September meet, having assumed the dates from Turfway Park in 2013.

On the racetrack, Corey Lanerie was the leading jockey for the ninth time in the last 10 Churchill meets with 16 winners. Steve Asmussen and Dale Romans tied for leading trainer with six wins, and Tom Durant supplanted perennial leaders Ken and Sarah Ramsey atop the owner standings with three wins.