Harness: Wagering and purse stats for 2014
The total wagering on harness racing at U.S. tracks in 2014 was just shy of $1.5 billion, a 6.67% decrease from 2013. However, the average amount wagered per race came in at $39,306, a 2.18% increase from the previous year when the total was $38,469, it was reported by the United States Trotting Association Thursday.
Purses paid totaled $408,135,386, a 3.26% decrease over 2013, when that total was $421,890,322. Race days totaled 3,695, a 4.77% decrease, or 185 fewer days than the 3,880 days contested in 2013.
Total handle on U.S. harness racing in 2014 was $1,497,004,583, a decrease of $107,835,413 (6.67 percent) from the $1,604,839,996 wagered in 2013.
Following are the comparative economic indicators for U.S. harness racing from 2014 and 2013.
| 2014 | 2013 | % Change | |
| Total Wagered | $1,497,004,583 | $1,604,839,996 | -6.67% |
| Per Race avg. | $39,306 | $38,469 | +2.18% |
| Purses | $408,135,386 | $421,890,322 | -3.26 % |
| Race Days | 3,695 | 3,880 | -4.77% |
Please note: Includes U.S. and Canadian common and separate pool wagers on races contested in the U.S. Data source: United Tote.
The United States Trotting Association, located in Columbus, Ohio, is a not-for-profit association of Standardbred owners, breeders, drivers, trainers, and officials, organized to provide administrative, rulemaking, licensing and breed registry services to its members. For more information on the USTA, please visit www.ustrotting.com.
(edited release--USTA)