Kentucky Derby sets record betting handle
This year’s Kentucky Derby handle reached $349m.
US.- Churchill Downs has reported that wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby Day programe reached a new record of $349m. That compares to the previous record of $320.5m set last year. All-sources wagering on the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby race reached a record $234.4m, up from $210.7m, and the all-sources handle for Derby Week rose to a new record of $473.9m, beating last year’s $446.6m.
TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, reported $108m in wagers on Churchill Downs race compared to $92.1m last year. That includes all settled future wagers and affiliate wagering. TwinSpires’ handle on the Kentucky Derby race was a record $73m, beating last year’s $60.9m.
Sovereignty, owned and bred by Godolphin, trained by William Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, claimed the Garland of Roses, winning by a length and a half at 7-1 odds. Churchill Downs expects adjusted EBITDA for Derby Week to be one of the top two results in the company’s history, but $2 to $4m lower than last year.
CEO Bill Carstanjen said: “We congratulate the connections of Sovereignty on an impressive win over a very talented field of horses. We are thrilled with our performance following the 150th milestone year in 2024 and we will grow the Kentucky Derby in the years to come.”
