race days

Total wagering and the number of race days were lower compared to a year ago in May, but available purses were on the uptick, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $1,387,522,075 on races during the month represented a 4.01% decrease over the same period from 2025, while available purses of nearly $123 million were higher by 0.12%. The figure of over $118 million for paid purses in May was also up by 0.09%. As for the total number of race days, they decreased from 365...

Despite several cold and snowy weather-related cancellations, more race days and higher available and paid purses were amongst the positive economic trends year over year for the month of February. 230 race days (+5.02%) led to over $79,562,309 (+8.57%) of paid out purses last month spread over 2,001 races (+4.76%). Field size remained largely the same, dropping just slightly from 7.98 in 2025 to 7.78 this year while wagering was also down a bit from $771,126,687 to $756,813,375 (-1.86%). Average wagering per race day was the most noticeable decrease, with...

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has added two additional  race dates to the 2025-26 meet, the track announced Tuesday. The additional days, which were "inspired by the strong performance of purse sources" according to the release, will be Monday, March 9, and Monday, March 16. "Following the purse meeting with the Louisiana HBPA and Racing Commission, all parties involved were confident that the addition of two race days fits within our current projections and reflects a shared commitment to the strength of the meet," said Jason Boulet, senior director...

Wagering on U.S. races during the month of January experienced just over a six percent downswing from a year ago, but the number of race days was roughly 12 percent lower, according to information released by Equibase on Thursday. Total wagering of $753,930,913 on races during the month represented a 6.09% decrease over the same period from 2025, while available purses of over $73-million were lower by almost 13%. The figure of over $68.5-million for paid purses in January was also down by 13.69%. As for the total number of...

The saga that is the future of Monmouth Park took another twist Thursday. According to an e-mail sent to its members by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has chosen not to vote on Senate Bill 5028 . Senate Bill 5028 would allow Monmouth Park, if it chose to do so, to run an annual meet of just 25 days. The State Assembly's committee also did not take a vote on a similarly worded bill. In 2026, there will be 50 days of...

According to the annual Thoroughbred Economic Indicators report released Monday by Equibase, the total figures for two of the sport's most important categories declined in 2025. Thanks in part to handle being down 7.32% in December, handle for the year was down 2.10% when compared to 2024 figures. A total of $11,028,652,933 was wagered in the U.S. as compared to $11,265,666,064 in 2024. Handle peaked in 2003 at $15.18 billion. When factoring in inflation, betting handle has fallen about 57% over the last 22 years. The year 2025 marked the...

Despite efforts dating back to May, negotiations around an annual purses and race dates agreement between the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) and Gulfstream Park remain at an impasse. The current horsemen's agreement expires Dec. 31. This agreement is a federal requirement for a racetrack to conduct live racing and simulcast its signal nationwide. Gulfstream Park, owned by The Stronach Group (TSG), is statutorily required to conduct a minimum of 40-days live racing to operate its casino. Without a horsemen's agreement, Gulfstream Park would still be able to...

Wagering increased compared to a year ago in August despite a reduction in the number of race days during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $1,204,428,838 on races during the month represented a 3.13% increase over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $153 million were higher by 7.24%. The figure of over $145 million for paid purses in August was also up by 6.33%. As for the total number of race days, they decreased from 416 to 400 (-3.85%)...

With 13 fewer races days compared to the same month last year, July saw most of its economic indicators down month over month. Some of the biggest changes occurred in available purses (-4.96%) and U.S. starts (-6.35%) with only average wagering per race day seeing a positive trend (+2.25%). The numbers were much the same when compared year-to-date with wagering (-2.56%), paid purses (-3.65%), race days (-4.19%), total races (-4.39%) and starts (-3.53%) all down while field size (+0.89%), average wagering per race day (+1.70%) and average available purses per...

Wagering dipped compared to a year ago in June, but so did the number of race days, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $956,784,146 on races during the month represented a 7.18% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $114 million were lower by 5.87%. The figure of over $110 million for paid purses in June was also down by 5.95%. As for the total number of race days, they also decreased from 408 to 380 (-6.86%) and the number...

February 2025 had 219 race days compared to 252 from the same month a year ago (-13.10%) leading to decreases in most major economic fields. In the same month over month comparison, average field size was up (+3.63%) as was average wagering per race day (+5.85%) and average available purses per race day (+3.49%). Total wagering was down on U.S. races (-8.01%) along with available purses (-10.07%), purses paid (-11.26%), total races (-11.33%) and starts (-8.11%). The stats are similar year over year with minor decreases on wagering (-2.73%) and...

Wagering in the U.S. rose $2.93% last month versus its counterpart one year ago, according to Equibase Wednesday. Commingled wagering on U.S. races increased to $802,903,279 from $780,034,372. Domestic (paid) purses also increased 7.96%, rising from $73,621,717 in 2024 to $79,482,656 this year. U.S. race days were up 7.37% to 233, while U.S. races rose to 1,995 from 1,853 (7.66%). Average field size increased from 7.86 to 8.14, while average available purses inched up to $360,437 from $359,189 last year.