Pari-mutuel wagering on United States Thoroughbred races in July was down 3.47% from the same month last year with 13 fewer race days.
According to the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators released by Equibase Aug. 4, worldwide commingled handle on U.S. races in July was $891,333,737, down from $923,357,487 in July 2013. The number of race days at each track was 517, down 2.45% from 530 last July.
Purses, meanwhile, fell 5.67% to $103,592,533 from $109,823,081 year over year, according to Equibase.
Through the first seven months of 2014, handle totaled $6,400,833,040, down 1.96% when compared with the same period in 2013. Purses are down 1.31% ($616,986,501 versus $625,206,248), and race days are down 1.96% (2,903 so far this year versus 2,961 last year).