The 148th edition of the Kentucky Derby set a new wagering record as the 14-race Derby day race card attracted over $273.8 million in wagers.
All sources betting on the Derby, won by Rich Strike at odds of 80-1, totaled $179 million
All sources betting on the Derby, won by Rich Strike at odds of 80-1, totaled $179 million, a jump of $14.5 million on the previous all-time record also set in 2019. This was an increase of 15% on last year’s $155.4 million and up by 8% on 2019’s record handle of $166.5 million. Of that figure, $8.3 million was wagered in Japan as gamblers backed Japan-trained Crown Pride which finished 13th.
Churchill Downs Inc. reported positive results for Kentucky Derby week as the company revealed that gamblers wagered $391.8 million throughout the week. This was a 25% increase on 2021’s handle of $314.6 million and 14% more than the previous all-time record of $343 million in 2019.
The 2022 Derby also saw the return of a full capacity crowd for the first time since 2019. 147,294 racing fans passed through the gates throughout the week and while this was a significant increase on last year’s limited capacity crowd of 51,838, it was still well short of the all-time record of 170,513 set in 2015.
According to Churchill Downs, its TwinSpires online race book reported accepting $67.4 million in wagers on Derby Day races. This was an 8% increase on the previous record of $62.7 million set in 2021. Wagers on the Derby itself amounted to $44 million, up by 8% on last year’s all-time record of $40.8 million.
Speaking of the results, Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said:
Kentucky Derby 2022 Sets All-Time Wagering Records Across the Board