The largest Kentucky Derby crowd of the 21st century gathered under the
historic Twin Spires to watch undefeated favorite BIG BROWN (Boundary) power
through the stretch and dominate a full field of 20 horses in Saturday’s
Kentucky Derby (G1).
The attendance mark of 157,770 was the second largest in Kentucky Derby
history and trails only the crowd of 163,628 that witnessed Cannonade win the
centennial Derby in 1974. It is the seventh time in 10 years that Kentucky Derby
Day attendance has topped 150,000.
Total wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby, which includes
on-track and off-track wagers, was $114,557,364, down 3.2 percent from the 2007
all-sources total of $118,317,714. On-track wagering for the Derby totaled
$12,118,527, an increase of 0.3 percent compared to the $12,076,490 wagered on
the race in 2007. Off-track wagering on the Run for the Roses race was
$102,438,837, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to the $106,241,224 wagered by
fans through simulcast-wagering centers and advanced-deposit wagering (ADW)
services around the country one year ago.
Total wagering from all sources on the 12-race Kentucky Derby Day card at
Churchill Downs was $164,668,176, a decline of 2 percent from the $168,018,982
wagered on last year’s 12-race program. On-track wagering on this year’s card
was $24,275,864, an increase of 0.9 percent from the $24,065,098 wagered by
on-track fans one year ago. Off-track wagering on the Kentucky Derby Day program
was $140,392,312, a dip of 2.5 percent from the $143,953,884 wagered by fans
around the country in 2007.
Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton said off-track wagering totals were
affected by the fact that tens of thousands of ADW customers could only bet on
the Kentucky Derby and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) because Kentucky
horsemen would not permit ADW wagering via TwinSpires.com and Xpressbet.com on
the full Kentucky Derby Day card. Additionally, fewer Florida pari-mutuel
facilities could wager on the entire Derby Day card due to an ongoing dispute
with Florida horsemen.
“The strength of this year’s Kentucky Derby Day racing program was evident in
our on-track results with increases in both on-track wagering and attendance,”
Sexton noted. “It is unfortunate that horsemen in Kentucky and Florida prevented
so many fans from enjoying a full day of wagering on Churchill Downs’ races. Had
more ADW and Florida customers been given an opportunity to participate, we
could have seen a record day.
“Despite these challenges, the Churchill Downs team put on an exceptional day
that included the successful launch of several new Derby innovations, including
an outstanding Red Carpet program, our chief party officer promotion that was a
hit with the fans and the media, and our new Derby Super Hi-5 wager that
generated a $331,928 carryover pool. Race fans also generated a Pick 6 carryover
pool of $410,598, so while Kentucky Derby weekend may be over for another year,
fans returning to Churchill Downs for our next day of racing – Wednesday, May 7
– have another chance to enjoy a big dose of ‘winnertainment’.”
Kentucky Derby Day attendance increased at Churchill Downs’ Trackside
Louisville off-track betting facility, where 9,547 race fans wagered on the
card, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to the 9,339 patrons who spent
Kentucky Derby 133 at Trackside Louisville. Wagering on the Kentucky Derby at
Trackside totaled $1,249,941, a slight decline of 0.2 percent from the 2007
total of $1,252,230. A total of $1,905,396 was wagered on the full racing
program at Trackside Louisville, an increase of 1.6 percent from the 2007 total
of $1,876,257.
Trackside Louisville attendance and wagering figures are not included in
on-track attendance and wagering figures for Churchill Downs racetrack.