Wagering from all-sources was the highest of all time on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and the 145th GI Kentucky Derby itself, which was won by Country House (Lookin at Lucky) in a controversial DQ.
Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $250.9 million, an 11% increase over the 2018 total and previous record of $225.7 million. Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby race increased 10% to $165.5 million from the previous record of $149.9 million set last year. This year's wagering record includes $4.1 million of handle wagered in Japan with this being the first year the Kentucky Derby has ever been offered for wagering in the country.
Attendance of 150,729 decreased 4% compared to last year, as the threat of an all-day rain forecast kept many fans away.
“We are deeply grateful to all of the fans of the Kentucky Derby around the world who once again made this an amazing and memorable experience,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”). “We expect the Kentucky Derby Week Adjusted EBITDA to reflect another record with $4.5-to-$6.0 million of growth over last year.”
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