U.S. handle drops nearly 5 percent in October

LEXINGTON, KY. -- Handle on U.S. Thoroughbred races fell 4.9 percent in October of this year when compared to the same month last year despite a 1.2 percent increase in races, according to figures released by Equibase on Friday.

October of this year and October of last year both had 10 weekend dates. There were 34 more races held in October of this year compared to October of last year. Average handle per race declined 6.1 percent, to $324,750.

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This year’s October racing schedule featured a major change when compared to last year because racing on the New York circuit was conducted at Aqueduct, rather than Belmont Park, due to construction at Belmont.

Despite the declines in handle, total purses distributed during the month jumped 12.4 percent, to an average of $43,569 per race.

Field size increased slightly, from 7.55 horses per race in October of last year to 7.60 horses per race this year.

For the first 10 months of the year, handle is statistically even with the first 10 months of last year. Purses are up 11.6 percent, while races are down 0.6 percent.

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