Sixth highest handle for 37th Breeders’ Cup World Championships

November 7, 2020

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Total all-sources handle for the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course was $160,472,894, the sixth-highest total since the Breeders’ Cup expanded to a two-day event in 2007 and an 8% decrease from the 2019 record handle of $174,000,574 at Santa Anita. 

The two-day total handle represented a 7% increase from the 2015 Championships at Keeneland.

Breeders’ Cup did not report attendance figures for the 2020 Championships at Keeneland as no tickets were made available to the general public and attendance was restricted to participants and essential personnel due to COVID-19 safety precautions. 

“We had an extraordinary two days of racing showcasing the best Thoroughbreds from around the world and we want to thank our hosts here at Keeneland, who did an amazing job, and the city of Lexington,” Breeders’ Cup CEO Drew Flemingsaid. “Given the unique circumstances for this year’s event with attendance limited here and at other tracks and simulcast facilities around the country, we are very pleased with the overall handle for the two days.” 

Total common-pool handle on Saturday’s 12-race Breeders’ Cup card was $110,186,908 a 6% decline from last year’s Saturday handle of $117,483,346 at Santa Anita.

The Breeders Cup World Championships will be held at Del Mar in 2021 and will return to Keeneland in 2022. 

Breeders’ Cup Two-Day Attendance and Handle (common-pool) history:

2020, Keeneland Race Course – no attendance reported; $160,472,894

2019, Santa Anita Park – 109,054; $174,000,574

2018, Churchill Downs – 112,672; $157,445,841

2017, Del Mar – 70,420; $166,077,486 

2016, Santa Anita Park – 118,484; $156,861,811 

2015, Keeneland Race Course – 94,652; $149,869,035 

2014, Santa Anita Park – 98,319; $151,158,813 

2013, Santa Anita Park – 94,628; $160,704,877 

2012, Santa Anita Park – 89,742; $144,272,332 

2011, Churchill Downs – 105,820; $161,512,867 

2010, Churchill Downs – 114,353; $173,857,697 

2009, Santa Anita Park – 96,496; $153,271,176 

2008, Santa Anita Park – 86,588; $155,740,328 

2007, Monmouth Park – 69,584; $129,197,262

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Great article and you are absolutely right. However your piece is sensible and logical- something that doesn't register with the opposition (who rely on emotion and "siege tactics")

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