The 2023 Kentucky Derby shattered records, with Churchill Downs and its wagering associate, TwinSpires, announcing unparalleled betting figures.
The fervor, however, extended beyond just the financial aspect. Mage, a steed with 15-1 odds, astonished spectators with a gripping triumph. Meanwhile, frontrunners such as Angel of Empire and Forte faltered, the former securing third place and the latter being withdrawn.
Bill Carstanjen, the Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs, conveyed his exhilaration, suggesting a projected profit surge of $14-16 million in contrast to the preceding year’s record-breaking earnings. He underscored the concentration on preparations for the 150th Kentucky Derby in May 2024.
The cumulative betting handle for Derby Day attained an unprecedented $288.7 million, eclipsing the prior year’s $273.8 million. The Kentucky Derby race itself attracted a record-setting $188.7 million in wagers, surpassing the $179 million staked in 2022. The entirety of Kentucky Derby week witnessed a leap to $412 million in bets, an increase from $391.8 million the previous year.
TwinSpires also commemorated a significant achievement, registering a record $73.6 million in wagers on its platform, with an impressive $47 million of that sum originating solely from the Kentucky Derby race.
The 2022 Kentucky Derby witnessed a combined $67.4 million in on-site bets and an additional $44 million in wagers placed remotely.
Although the documented number of spectators for Saturday’s race reached 150,335, surpassing the previous year’s 147,294 attendees, the occasion was not devoid of dispute. A particular occurrence involved an animal welfare organization that intended to showcase a banner above the racetrack, voicing their opposition to Churchill Downs’ participation in the sport of greyhound racing.