April saw wagering handle on US races that was more than 5% below the April 2024 mark, as the industry continues to scuffle.
Laurel’s “Preakness Preview Day” wagering handle was nearly double its best day of 2025 to date.
Handle was down 4% in March versus the prior year and is off by more than 3% during the year to date, according to Equibase.
US wagering handle on Thoroughbred races plummeted 14% in December, as the industry suffered through another down year.
With more days of live racing and solid Breeders’ Cup results, US wagering handle was up slightly in November versus the prior year.
Driven by record wagering on the Kentucky Derby, national wagering handle increased slightly in May versus the prior year.
Wagering handle on US Thoroughbred races fell sharply in April, down over 11% versus April 2023, and is down over six percent for the year to date.
National wagering handle declined by nearly four percent in 2023 versus the prior year, and the number of races conducted was down five percent.
National wagering handle continued its downward trend in October and is down nearly five percent year-over-year.
Wagering handle in North America jumped more than 10% in 2021 to its highest level in over a decade, even as races and field size both declined.