Breeders' Cup Handle $150 Million and Rising

By Blood-Horse Staff

All-sources handle for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships surpassed $150 million as global figures from Breeders’ Cup Saturday continue to be accumulated.

Through Sunday, a total of $150,205,639 was wagered on the 14 races of the Championships and five additional Oak Tree Racing Association races, held Nov. 6-7. For last year’s two-day program, there were 21 races, one more race per day than this year.

Breeders’ Cup estimates an additional $2-3 million in separate international pool handle has yet to be reported from France, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others. Reported handle from Hong Kong on four Saturday Breeders’ Cup races was $2,924,635. Separate pool handle in Mexico was $1,361,086. For the first time, Singapore took the Saturday Breeders’ Cup program, and generated a total handle of $156,706.

“The combined handle was actually 4% higher for the corresponding 19 races scheduled over the two days in 2008,” said Kenneth Kirchner, of Falkirk, wagering consultants to Breeders’ Cup Ltd. “International separate pool handle is up by more than $3 million over 2008.” Kirchner also noted that $2,172,266 was refunded to patrons that had wagered on Quality Road, who was scratched at the gate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Not included in 2009 handle figures is the estimated total Betfair exchange wagering of $24.75 million over the two days.

“We had two great days of wagering with a number of people cashing some very large tickets,” said Kirchner. “We had tremendous payouts, with one player earning almost $1.9 million on Saturday’s Pick 6, five fans cashing over $155,000 each on Friday’s Pick 6, and we had a very successful Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge where the winner earned $41,125 through his wagering and another $125,000 in prize money.”

The Pick 6 handle rose significantly from 2008. Friday’s Pick 6 handle was $1,371,372, up 36% from 2008. The Saturday Pick 6 handle increased 15% to $3,313,224. The sole winning ticket on Saturday was worth $1,838,305 for the 6 of 6 correct selections and was a $48 ticket that was wagered through Royal River Racing. The winning ticket singled Goldikova and Conduit.

The inaugural Betting Challenge featured 75 players, who each paid a $10,000 entry fee and competed for $225,000 in total prize money. The winner was David Wilkenfeld, who came from as far back as Zenyatta when he won the contest in the final race, the Classic. WIlkenfeld hit the Zenyatta/Gio Ponti/Twice Over trifecta for $40,000. Second place was Brian Herrity ($40,000 in prize money) and third was Steven Hartshorn ($20,000).

The first Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic-Breeders’ Cup Classic special double of Life is Sweet and Zenyatta generated a handle $403,316, and returned $92.60. The consolation payout with Quality Road paid 18.40.

A total of $117,559 was wagering on the new Breeders’ Cup Jockey Bet. The Field entry, #14 was the winning wager, and paid $5.60

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