With one fewer weekend, August handle drops less than 1 percent

Handle on U.S. Thoroughbred races held in August of this year declined moderately compared to the same month last year, when there was an additional weekend date during August, according to figures distributed by Equibase on Monday.

Total handle dropped 0.86 percent, but average handle per race increased 3.2 percent, from $340,466 to $351,434, due to a 4.0 percent decline in races held during the month. Some of that decline was related to the one additional weekend date in August of last year.

Two marquee race meets, Saratoga and Del Mar, are held in August each year. Saratoga wrapped up its meet on Monday after posting a 7.7 percent jump in total handle. About midway through Del Mar’s meet in mid-August, track officials there reported that handle was running approximately 7 percent above last year’s numbers.

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Despite the decline in races, gross purses distributed during August rose 3.7 percent. The average purse per race in August was $38,296, up 7.9 percent compared to average purse of $35,483 during August of last year. Purses at U.S. racetracks are heavily subsidized by casino revenues.

Average field size ticked up for the first time in months, jumping from 6.97 horses per race in August of last year to 7.13 horses per race this year.