A 5.07% decline in race days due to weather-related cancellations resulted in a 4.09% decrease in total wagering on U.S. races in February, according to the latest economic indicators from Equibase Company.
Handle on U.S. racing last month totaled $792,580,107, compared with $826,278,178 for February 2013. Purses paid during the month of $62,457,558 represented a 5.7% decline from the same month a year ago.
While total handle fell due to the decreased number of race days, the average of $2,820,356 for the 281 race days during February 2014 represented a slight increase over the $2,791,480 average for 296 race days in February 2013.
For the first two months of 2014, there were two fewer race days than last year, with wagering down 2.18% and purses paid declining 2.17%.
|
Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators
For February 2014 |
|||
| February 2014 vs. February 2013 | |||
Indicator |
February 2014 |
February 2013 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$792,520,107 |
$826,278,178 |
-4.09% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$62,457,558 |
$66,230,756 |
-5.70% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
281 |
296 |
-5.07% |
| YTD 2014 vs. YTD 2013 | |||
Indicator |
YTD 2014 |
YTD 2013 |
% Change |
|
Wagering on U.S. Races* |
$1,593,030,550 |
$1,628,597,003 |
-2.18% |
|
U.S. Purses |
$129,460,147 |
$132,337,832 |
-2.17% |
|
U.S. Race Days |
586 |
588 |
-0.34% |
| * Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races | |||
