Kentucky Oaks Day handle a record $75.3 million, up slightly from a year ago

All-sources wagering on the 13-race Kentucky Oaks card at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Friday set a record at $75.3 million, according to the track, a slight gain over the record set last year.

The handle total for the Friday card was up $400,000 over last year’s number, which itself was up slightly over a record set in 2022.

For the Friday card, 108 horses ran in the 13 races, one less than the number of horses that ran on the card last year. The Oaks, the centerpiece of the card, had 14 runners this year, the same number as last year.

Handle on the Oaks itself was $21.7 million, down 3 percent compared to wagering on the race last year, according to Churchill Downs. The Oaks was won by the second choice in the race, Thorpedo Anna, while the favorite, Just F Y I, was second.

Conditions at Churchill Downs were wet for most of the day, and the dirt races on the Friday card were all conducted over a sloppy track.

Attendance on Friday was 107,236, according to Churchill. Last year, on a day with ideal weather, Churchill reported attendance of 106,381.

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