The 38-day 2017 Churchill Downs Spring Meet, highlighted by Always Dreaming (Bodemeister)'s win in the GI Kentucky Derby, concluded Friday night. Owner Maggi Moss, trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Corey Lanerie topped the standings.
“There have been so many reasons to smile during our just-concluded Spring Meet and our entire Churchill Downs team cherishes and appreciates the entire experience and the support of our patrons and horsemen,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack.
All-sources wagering on the Derby Day program surpassed $200 million for the first time and totaled $209.2 million–a jump of 9% from 2016 and an increase of 8% over the previous record of $194.3 million established in 2015. All-sources wagering on the Derby rose to $139.2 million–a 12% increase over 2016 and a 1% increase over the previous record of $137.9 million established in 2015. Daily race purses averaged $559,591–a decrease of 0.6% from the spring of 2017, but the second-highest daily average in the past five years. The average purse for an individual race during the meet was $57,163.
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