Handle jumped 22.5 percent in October, aided by two extra weekend dates

Total handle on U.S. races held in October was up 22.5 percent compared to the same month in 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, according to figures released on Friday by Equibase, but the enormous jump was due, in part, by the inclusion of two additional weekend dates this year compared to two years ago.

October of this year had 10 weekend dates, compared to eight in 2019. Handle on weekends is far higher than handle on weekdays.

Total handle this October was $950.62 million, compared to $776.07 million in October of 2019, according to the figures. Average handle per race in October of 2021 was $345,933, up 22.8 percent compared to the average handle of $281,798 in 2019.

Compared to October of last year – when racing schedules were still being disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic – total handle this year was up 2.3 percent. There were nine weekend dates in October last year, and the Preakness Stakes was run during the month, as the third leg of the Triple Crown. The Preakness is normally held in mid-May.

Field size in October of this year was 7.55 horses per race, down 6.2 percent compared to October of 2019 and down 3.9 percent compared to October last year.

Purses distributed in October of this year were up 17.3 percent compared to October two years ago and 18.6 percent compared to October of last year, according to the figures. Purses at U.S. racetracks rely heavily on subsidies from casinos in many racing jurisdictions, and the coronavirus pandemic was still affecting casino operations in the fall of last year in many states.

The average purse per race in October of this year was $39,244, up 23.1 percent compared to the average purse last October and 17.5 percent compared to the average purse in October two years ago. Purses in Kentucky have risen double-digits over the past year due to strong growth at casinos operated by racetracks.

For the year so far, total handle on U.S. races is up 11.5 percent compared to 2019, and 12.5 percent compared to handle through the first 10 months last year. Total purses, however, are statistically even with 2019, but up 18.6 percent compared to 2020.