Keeneland fall-meet all-sources handle drops 7.5 percent

Keeneland's all-sources handle at the fall meet that ended Saturday was down 7.5 percent from the comparable 2019 meet, according to figures released by the Lexington, Ky., track.

Run without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 17-day meet attracted $148,229,708 in handle, which is down from the $160,207,916 wagered last fall, when 17 cards also were run. Per-day handle this year averaged nearly $8.72 million.

Gross ontrack handle was $2,477,890 at the meet, which was conducted with a limited number of participants and essential personnel in attendance. In comparison, ontrack handle was $17,320,852 at the 2019 fall meet.

“The difference in all-sources wagering this fall versus last comes down to the loss in ontrack wagering,” noted Bob Elliston, vice president of racing.

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Per-day purses averaged $682,324, still among the highest on the continent. The average field size of 8.1 was down from 9.5 last fall, with officials partly attributing pandemic-related issues to the decrease. Favorites won at a 36-percent clip (58 of 161 races).

Tyler Gaffalione was the leading jockey with 24 wins. Brad Cox led all trainers with 15 wins, while the M and M Stable of Mike Sisk was the top owner with five wins from just eight starts.

Racing returns to Keeneland for two more days this fall with the Nov. 6-7 Breeders’ Cup. The general public also is being denied admission on those days.

This was the final meet for Bill Thomason as track president. Thomason is retiring at year’s end following 10 years in a position being filled by Shannon Bishop Arvin.