Equibase reports U.S. handle down in January

[Al Gobbi]

Handle on U.S. races in the month of January was down 2.0 percent compared with the same month in 2012, according to figures released by Equibase on Monday, in large part because of a 7 percent contraction in race days during the month.

In 2012, total handle on U.S. races was up for the first time since 2006, though only by 1 percent. The total number of races held during the year also was up marginally, but the recent decline in the foal crop, including a 14 percent drop in 2010, is expected to start taking a significant toll on field size this year. The 2010 crop is now 3 years old.

http://www.equibase.com/news/releases/020413release.cfm
http://www.drf.com/news/equibase-reports-us-handle-down-2012-january

[cj]

Wouldn't a better measure be revenue? Lots of things can affect handle, but how about handle versus purses distributed. Much like lots of things in this game, reporting only handle is pretty archaic.

[therussmeister]

According to my calculations purses were 8.24% of the handle.

[Robert Goren]

Total handle is a very misleading number these days with all of the rebates out there. Who knows what amount of money bet according the handle numbers was actually ever at risk. Some people are betting a $1.92 (or less)and it is getting counted as $2.00 in the handle. I think even with total handle being up 1% last year, the money actually bet on the races last year was probably down a little. More bettors are getting rebates every year and all of the large bettors are getting them. It is starting to trickle down to even the small bettors like me.