Record $320 million handle pours in for Kentucky Derby day

A record handle of more than $320 million was generated by the Kentucky Derby 2024 card at Churchill Downs, where a crowd of 156,710 fans watched Mystik Dan win Saturday’s run for the roses.

Wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby day program reached $320.5 million, beating last year’s record of $288.7 million. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race was a new record of $210.7 million, beating the previous record of $188.7 million set in 2023.

Jockeys, trainers speak after Kentucky Derby 2024.

All-sources handle for Derby week rose to a record of $446.6 million, beating last year’s record of $412.0 million.

TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, handled a record of $92.1 million in wagering on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby day program, compared with last year’s record of $75.5, including all settled future wagers and affiliate wagering. TwinSpires’ handle on the Kentucky Derby race was a new record of $60.9 million, beating last year’s record of $48.9 million, including all settled future wagers and affiliate wagering.

With Forever Young finishing third and T O Password fifth, all-sources wagering from their home nation Japan on the Kentucky Derby was a new record of $10.1 million, beating the previous record of $8.3 million in 2022.

“The Kentucky Derby is a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship, unity and the power of tradition,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We were honored to debut our transformational new paddock as we celebrated this milestone 150th run for the roses. The new paddock has fundamentally enhanced the experience of all of our guests as they pass through our front gates and is a stepping stone to the next chapter of this time-honored event.”