Churchill Downs fall average betting drops 15.7%

Betting on Churchill Downs' fall meet that ended Sunday fell 15.68 percent per day, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The declines mean all three of this year's meets saw double-digit drops in wagering, which besides providing revenue to the track also fund purses.

The $3.97 million a day wagered for the 24 days this year was down 15.68 percent from last year's $4.71 million average for 25 days. Two days were cancelled this year because of a frozen track.

The total handle of $95.23 million was down 19.06 percent over last year's meet.

That follows the September meet where wagering declined 16.15 percent and the spring meet where betting fell 11.5 percent.

Churchill previously has blamed competition from tracks with casinos and the foal crop. The track also raised the percentage of money it takes off the top of every bet -- called the takeout -- and that led to a boycott effort by some bettors.

The average number of horses for the fall meet fell 2.4 percent to 8.56, according to the track.

The $8.62 million in purses paid this fall increased 4.8 percent from the previous year. Average daily purses of $359,081 increased 9.2 percent increase.