Track breaks record for meet handle

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Allsources handle at the 17-day Keeneland meet that ended Saturday was the highest at a fall meet in the 82-year history of the track.

Keeneland officials reported total handle was $144,309,944, surpassing the record $139.7 million set at the 2013 fall meet. The gross handle and daily average of $8,488,820 were up 18.6 percent over the 2017 fall meet, when $121.7 million was bet during 17 days – although business at that meet was down 8.7 percent compared to 2016, as bettors reacted to a takeout increase that was rescinded in time for the 2018 spring meet.

The 2018 fall meet included a single-day record of $17.1 million bet on Oct. 6, breaking the mark of $15.9 million set on the corresponding date in 2016.

Ontrack average handle, which does not include omported simulcasts, was $965,874, down 6.7 percent from last year. Ontrack attendance averaged 14,224, down 10.6 percent, with track officials citing poor weather conditions as a logical reason for ontrack downturns.

Besides the record handle, a record purse payout for a non-Breeders’ Cup fall meet also was established. The daily average of $730,873 was 4.7 percent higher than the record set last fall.

“The quality of Keeneland’s racing program is reflected in the record wagering we experienced this fall,” track president and CEO Bill Thomason said in a prepared statement. “Full, competitive race fields representing the nation’s top owners, trainers, and jockeys attracted the support of fans across the country. We thank the Central Kentucky community, our horsemen, and corporate partners for a very gratifying racing season.”

Field size averaged 9.4 horses per race, while favorites won at a 30 percent clip (48 of 161).

On the racetrack, Tyler Gaffalione (15 wins) was the leading jockey at Keeneland for the first time, while Todd Pletcher (nine wins) was leading trainer here for the fifth time. Ken and Sarah Ramsey (six wins) extended their own record for most Keeneland owner titles to 21.