Although totals are not complete, wagering on the 2002 Kentucky Derby will establish betting records for both the race and the overall Derby Day card. A total of $79,094,806 was wagered on the Kentucky Derby, with overall betting on the entire 11-race card at
$123,315,302. The total for the 2002 Derby Day program at Churchill Downs sets a North American record for single-day wagering. The previous high was $108,603,040 wagered on the 2000 Breeders' Cup Championship, which was also held at Churchill Downs.Overall wagering on the Kentucky Derby race grew 11.11 percent over the previous record of $71,189,142 set last year. The on-track total for the day -- which included an additional race -- rose 9.73 percent to a record $19,400,818. The previous Derby Day record, established in 2000, included wagering on 10 races as compared to 11 races for this year. Overall betting on the entire 11-race card grew 14.51 over the previous best of $107,598,904 established in 2001.
On-track wagering on the race was $8,630,408, as compared to last year's $8,360,273, an increase of 3.23 percent, but fell just below the record of $8,737,659 established in 2000.
