October wagering up 9 percent year over year

Total commingled wagering on Thoroughbred races at U.S. racetracks in October rose 9 percent compared to the same month last year, but the result was heavily skewed by the inclusion this year of the Breeders’ Cup’s Friday card on Oct. 31.

The total betting figure rose $71.6 million, from $796.3 million in October of last year to $867.9 million this year. Total betting on a 10-race card that included five Breeders’ Cup races on Oct. 31 was $62 million, according to Breeders’ Cup officials. Last year, the Friday Breeders’ Cup card was held on Nov. 1.

Both October of this year and October of last year had eight weekend dates. Aqueduct racetrack in Queens canceled two cards at the end of the month.

The number of races held at U.S. tracks during the month dropped 2.9 percent, leading to a 12.2 percent gain in average handle per race, from $309,970 last October to $347,867 this year.

The total amount of purses paid during the month, juiced by the $7 million in purses for the five Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup races, was up 7.6 percent, or $7.72 million. Average purse per race increased 10.9 percent, from $39,560 to $43,869.

Field size dropped marginally to 7.69 horses per race, down from 7.73 in October of last year.

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