Wagering on United States Thoroughbred racing experienced an incremental uptick during July 2013 compared to the same month last year, according to statistics from Equibase Company.
Economic indicator figures released Aug. 4 showed total wagering on U.S. races of $926,902,696 during July. That was up by .2% over the July 2012 total wagering of $925,022,004. The increase, however slight, was encouraging because actual race days during the month declined from 557 last year to 541, a dip of 2.87%.
Average handle per race day for was $1,713,313, compared to $1,660,721 in July 2012, an improvement of 3.17%.
Equibase reported that purses for the just-concluded month totaled $109,814,634, an increase of 1.86% over the July 2012 total of $107,810,241. The race day average showed a healthy 4.87% jump in purses for the month compared to last year.
For the year, wagering is down by two-thirds of 1%, Equibase reported. Total wagering for 2013 stood at $6,539,374,954 through the end of July compared to $6,583,264,088 at this point one year ago. Race days have declined by 3.37% so far this year, from 3,086 to 2,982.
Purses are off slightly for the year as well at 1.11%. So far this year, purses have totaled $623,378,884, a decline from $630,361,540.
Average figures for purses and handle are up for the year, however. Average race day wagering is up by 2.77%, and average purses have increased by 2.34% through July.