By Press Release — All-sources handle for the 10-race program of the first day of the 36th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park was $56,517,228, a record for Breeders’ Cup Friday and a 5.4% increase over last year’s 10-race Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday card at Churchill Downs.
The Future Stars Friday card featured five Breeders’ Cup races for 2-year-old horses, the second consecutive year of grouping all of the juvenile races on the same day since the event expanded to its current two-day format in 2007.
Friday’s attendance was 41,243 and Friday’s on-track handle for the 10-race card was $6,340,351.
Breeders’ Cup Friday attendance and handle history:
2018, Churchill Downs – 42,249; $53,636,272
2017, Del Mar — 32,728; $52,273,883
2016, Santa Anita — 45,673; $49,651,600
2015, Keeneland – 44,497; $46,251,965
2014, Santa Anita – 37,205; $47,666,982
2013, Santa Anita – 35,633; $52,594,370
2012, Santa Anita – 34,619; $48,997,009
2011, Churchill Downs – 40,677; $52,095,202
2010, Churchill Downs – 41,614; $54,889,388
2009, Santa Anita – 37,651; $50,662,945
2008, Santa Anita – 31,257; $49,473,304
2007, Monmouth Park – 27,803; $31,499,007
