Originally posted on 01/22/2014:

Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
Fudgy numbers on steady decline
Its a dying sport in USA

If you are going to bash it JJ, at least use the correct numbers.

The handle actually went up in 2013 compared to 2012.

Less racing cards but increased handle.


United States race dates declined by 3.15% in 2013 when compared to the previous year, yet total wagering and purses held steady, according to the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators released by Equibase Jan. 5.

In spite of a poor December 2013 showing, in which handle on U.S. races fell by 10.51% over the previous year, total wagering for the year rose by .06% from $10,874,189,902 in 2012 to $10,881,239,410. The figures include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

Purses for the year showed a minuscule decrease of .04% from 2012; the total was $1,123,856,097 in 2013 compared to $1,124,254,126.

The total number of race days (actual race programs) for 2013 was 5,143, down from 2012's total of 5,310.