2022 Kentucky Derby program and race attracts record wagering

Churchill Downs Inc. announced a crowd of 147,294 fans on-track for Saturday's 148th Kentucky Derby.  It witnessed the second-biggest long shot ever to win the Kentucky Derby as Rich Strike claimed an unexpected victory at at 80-1 odds.

CDI also announced that wagering from all-sources was the highest all-time on the Kentucky Derby race, the Kentucky Derby day program and Kentucky Derby week races.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby day program totaled $273.8 million, a 17 percent increase over 2021 and up 9 percent from the previous record in 2019 of $250.9 million.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby race totaled $179.0 million, up 15 percent over 2021 and up 8 percent from the previous record of $166.5 million set in 2019. This year’s wagering record includes $8.3 million of handle wagered in Japan.

Rich Strike, owned by Richard Dawson’s RED TR-Racing and bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm rallied to win by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Eric Reed and ridden by Sonny Leon, Rich Strike covered the mile and a quarter in 2:02.61 over a fast track and produced an upset second only to Donerail’s triumph at 91-1 in 1913.

“We are deeply grateful to all of the fans of the Kentucky Derby around the world who once again made this an amazing and memorable experience,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc. 

All-sources handle for Derby week rose to a new record of $391.8 million, up 25 percent from 2021 and up 14 percent from the previous record of $343.0 million set in 2019.