Derby Day Wagering Up From 2020; Down From 2019

By Dick Downey

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $233.0 million up 85% compared to the 2020 Kentucky Derby Day program held during a pandemic, but down from $250.9 million in pre-pandemic 2019.

All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby was $155.4 million, up 96% from last year’s Derby, but down from $165.5 million in 2019. The win-place-show pool for Saturday's Derby was $69,432,825, an increase over 2019 when the pool was $65,676,107.

All-sources handle for Opening Night, Saturday, April 24, through Derby Day, Saturday, May 1, was $314.6 million, up 79% from last year. TwinSpires recorded preliminary record handle of $62.7 million on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, and preliminary record handle on the Kentucky Derby race alone of $40.8 million. Comparable figures from 2019 are not available.