The number of race days was lower and so was wagering compared to a year ago in March, according to information released by Equibase on Friday.
Total wagering of $931,202,013 on races during the month represented a 4.20% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of almost $98 million were lower by 4.23%. The figure of over $93 million for paid purses in March was also down by 4.84%. As for the total number of race days, they decreased from 285 to 263 (-7.72%) and the number of U.S. races was lower from 2,403 in March 2024 to last month's tally of 2,266 (-5.70%).
Average field size in March was higher from over a year ago when it was 7.54, and checked in at an average of 7.71 runners, an increase of 2.33%. Average daily wagering increased by 3.82% to $3,540,692 and the average available purse number per race day was up 3.78% to $375,113 from the figure of $361,463 in 2024.
When it comes to the year-over quarterly figures (Jan.-Mar.), through wagering on U.S. races in 2024 registered at over $2.59-billion, while this year the amount is $2.505-billion (-3.28%). Those numbers include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
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