Pari-mutuel handle remained slightly ahead of last year even though it was down 7.37% in July when compared with the same month in 2011, according to the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators released by Equibase.
Wagering on United States races in July totaled $925,447,361, compared with $999,046,849 in July 2011. The number of U.S. race days--individual programs at each track--was 557, down 32, or 5.43%, from July of last year.
There were about 25 cancellations of total or partial cards due to weather or track conditions in July, according to Equibase statistics.
Purses for July totaled $107,793,727, down 2.63% from $110,793,102 a year ago.
For the first seven months of 2012, handle totaled $6,582,833,844, up 0.89% from $6,525,073,914 for January through July of 2011. Race days were up 0.49% from 3,070 to 3,085, and purses were up 6.27% from $593,182,345 to $630,361,877.