Breeders' Cup 2008 Results

For the record, total commingled handle this year was $132.6 million on 14 races, according to preliminary figures released by Breeders' Cup on Sunday night, whereas total all-sources handle last year was $129.2 million on 11 races, a difference of 2.6 percent.

There is no question that the rapid deterioration in the economic environment both in the U.S. and abroad took its toll on the Breeders' Cup, as it has on race meets across the U.S. over the past three months. The average handle on a Breeders' Cup race this year was $9.5 million, compared with $11.7 million on each Breeders' Cup race run in 2007 at Monmouth Park, a difference of 18.8 percent.

Those figures reflect both the lack of consumer confidence that has gripped the United States over the past three months and the reality that horse racing bettors have finite bankrolls when approaching big-event days. Even though the Breeders' Cup expanded by three races - or 27 percent - wagering held steady.

"Overall, in light of all the variables, I have to be very pleased with where the numbers are," said Ken Kirchner, the Breeders' Cup's simulcasting and wagering consultant. "The recession is knocking racetracks across the country by about 20 percent."

Attendance held its own when compared to Breeders' Cups conducted at Santa Anita in the past. On Friday, when five Breeders' Cup races restricted to fillies and mares were held, attendance was 31,257. Attendance on Saturday, when nine Breeders' Cup races were held, was 51,331. When the Breeders' Cup was last held at Santa Anita was 2003, with a one-day card with eight races, attendance was 51,648.

Total handle over the two full days of racing was $155.5 million, with $47.9 million in wagering on Friday's 10-race card and $107.6 million bet on Saturday's 11-race card. Total handle last year at Monmouth Park over the two days of racing was $147.4 million, a difference of 5.5 percent.