Handle jumps at Churchill September meet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – All-sources handle at the September meet that ended Sunday at Churchill Downs averaged more than $4.85 million per card, up 17.6 percent over the corresponding 2018 meet, according to figures released Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Gross handle at the 11-day meet that began Sept. 13 was $53,411,529, up by the same percentage over the September meet last year, when 11 dates also were run. Ontrack handle figures were not immediately available.

Handle at the 2018 meet was up nearly 15 percent over 2017. Churchill began conducting a September meet in 2013.

Purse levels at the latest meet were easily a record, boosted substantially by revenues from the historical racing machines at the nearby company-owned Derby City Gaming facility that became operational in September 2018. Officials with the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on Monday reported a gross payout of more than $7.8 million, a per-card average of $710,130 and an increase of 53 percent over last year, when nearly $5.1 million was paid in purses.

On the racetrack, Corey Lanerie led all jockeys with 13 winners, marking the 18th time he has won or shared a Churchill riding title, all since 2012. Brad Cox was the leading trainer with five wins, while the race for leading owner resulted in a tie between Sagamore Farm and Susan and Jim Hill (four wins each).

Field size averaged 9.26 horses per race, up from 8.54 last September, while favorites won at a 28 percent clip (30 for 109).

Racing returns to Churchill on Oct. 27 for the fall meet.