Despite an increase in race days, wagering on U.S. races in January 2014 was similar to the amount of U.S. race wagering in January 2013.
According to industry economic indicators released Feb. 5 by Equibase, handle fell 0.23% to $800,510,443 in January when compared with the same month a year ago. Handle figures include worldwide commingled pools on U.S. races.
While handle remained steady, race days were up 4.45% in January to 305. That dropped the average handle per race day to $2,624,624, down 4.5% from 2013.
Purses improved during the month to $67,002,589, up 1.35% compared with January 2013.