Purses up, handle down for first half of year

More money available for owners and horsemen did not translate to more money in the wagering pools, as handle declined 4.5% in the first half of 2026 to $5,582,202,611 while purses increased 1.3% to $594,064,068. 

This marked the sixth consecutive year that handle declined in the first half of the year despite purses going up. Handle is down 10.7% from the first half of 2021 while purses are up 18.3%.

For the first half of the year, eight of the top 10 signals by total handle showed decreases on a per-race basis. The only two with increases were the Kentucky tracks Keeneland and Churchill Downs. Kentucky's other track to race so far this year, Turfway Park, ranked 13th in total handle and was one of only five in the top 16 to have per-race increases.

Kentucky handle's gain of 4.5% from last year means all other tracks outside Kentucky were down 6.6%. Since 2024, Kentucky has moved $2.90 of every $100 bet on North America Thoroughbred racing to inside the commonwealth.

The two non-Kentucky tracks were Saratoga and Fair Grounds. Churchill Downs Inc. owns the latter, meaning three of its four tracks to run this year showed increases on a per-race basis. Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania did not.

Handle for the second quarter ended June 30 declined 2.7% while purses increased 3%. For June, handle was down 5.3% with purses up 1.2%.