Extra {dollars} had been wagered than ever earlier than throughout this 12 months’s a hundred and fiftieth Spring Meet at Churchill Downs.
The Louisville racetrack’s high-quality racing product with super-charged purses—fueled by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Improvement Fund by way of historic horse racing—has appealed to bettors and horsemen all over the world.
A complete of $708.3 million was wagered through the 43-day stand that concluded June 30. That broke the 2022 Spring Meet file of $614.8 million by a lofty $93.5 million. For some perspective, Spring Meet betting totaled $368.8 million 10 years in the past in 2014.
All sources deal with through the wildly profitable six-day Derby Week (April 27-Might 4) rose to $446.6 million—together with an unprecedented $320.5 million on Kentucky Derby Day—to eclipse final 12 months’s Derby Week file of $412.0 million.
The wagering will increase continued all through the ultimate 37 days of the Spring Meet (Might 9-June 30) as deal with totaled $261.7 million, which was a $38.7 million and 17.4% improve from the earlier post-Derby mark of $223.0 million through the 2022 Spring Meet. Join BloodHorse Day by day
The June 29 12-race Stephen Foster Day card attracted probably the most wagers within the 43-year historical past of the occasion. Betting totaled $18.8 million, which was a $4.9 million or 35% improve from the final time it was held at Churchill Downs in 2022. The $18.8 million milestone additionally was the second-largest non-Derby Week or Breeders’ Cup wagering day within the historical past of the monitor, solely behind the $19.3 million guess on Stephen Foster Preview Day through the COVID-19 pandemic on Might 23, 2020.
“From file prize cash to giant fields, high-quality individuals, sturdy wagering, and huge payouts, this 12 months’s record-breaking Spring Meet delivered all-around optimistic outcomes,” mentioned Mike Anderson, Churchill Downs president. “The horse homeowners, jockeys, and trainers offered distinctive competitors on the racetrack, and our workforce and companions delivered an excellent visitor expertise. We prolong our sincerest appreciation to the horseplayers and the better Louisville group who made this 12 months’s Spring Meet so particular and pleasant.”
A file $58.0 million was paid in purses through the nine-week Spring Meet, which averaged $1.4 million day by day. The common purse per race was $139,000.
Churchill Downs lured 3,432 starters for its 418 races for a wholesome common of 8.2 horses per race.
Tyler Gaffalione and Jose Ortiz shared main rider honors with 45 wins apiece. For Gaffalione, it was his twelfth Churchill Downs title as main jockey. It was the primary native championship for Ortiz, who started using in Kentucky this spring.
Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen collected his twenty eighth record-extending native coaching title with 33 wins. Juddmonte was the main proprietor for a 3rd time with 10 journeys to the winner’s circle.
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Employees.
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