Wagering on U.S. races drops in January as purses increase

Wagering on U.S. races declined in January as purses for races increased.

Equibase reported that wagering for the month was down 7.19 percent, to $874.2 million. U.S. purses totaled $90.1 million, up almost ten percent from January 2022.

Average wagering per race day was down 9.29 percent, to $3.3 million.

January saw little change in the number of race days, races, starts or average field size.

The figures indicate that a trend from 2022 continued in January. Wagering last year fell 0.87 percent, to $12.11 billion. U.S. purses rose 10.92 percent, to $1.31 billion.