Wagering on U.S. races through the first eight months of the year is up 17.51% over the same period in 2020, with $8,585,662,502 wagered on races in the country through August compared to $7,306,542,949 in 2020, according to figures released Sunday by Equibase.
Purses rose 44.77%, from $518,929,044 in 2020 to $751,230,068 this year, while race dates increased from 2,144 to 2,781 and number of races increased from 17,794 to 22,862.
During the month of August, a total of $1,206,119,197 was wagered on 455 race days and 3,539 races in 2021.
In August 2020, $1,153,994,899 was wagered on 445 race days and 3,608 races.
Purses rose 20.12% for the month, from $104,539,502 in 2020 to $125,575,863 this year.
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