Pari-mutuel handle, purses, and race days all declined in June compared with the same month in 2009, according to the latest Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators published by Equibase.
Wagering on U.S. races in June 2010 totaled $935,843,769, down 5.82% from $993,644,026 in June 2009. U.S. purses in June totaled $99,894,015, down 1.21% from $101,120,530. Race days – individual racing programs at each track – numbered 600, which represented a decline of 3.23% from 620.
The 2010 year-to-date numbers through June included a wagering total of $5,984,587,892, down 7.99% from last year’s comparable figure of $6,504,496,508. The purse total stood at $476,571,090, which represented a setback of 5.57% from $504,686,508. The number of race days, 2,644, was down 6.04% from 2,814.