The “fastest two minutes in sports” performed out on Saturday with the largest betting numbers in historical past for the Kentucky Derby. The race led to a three-way picture end with report numbers of bettors plunking down some money on the motion.
In the top, Mystik Dan got here on prime after dealing with odds of 18 to 1. At Churchill Downs, the observe noticed a report $320.5 million wager on the race on Derby Day, topping final 12 months’s earlier report of $288.7 million.
“The Kentucky Derby is a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship, unity and the power of tradition,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen stated. “As we reflect on 150 years of our storied past, we remain committed to innovating new experiences for Derby fans.”
Inside The Numbers
With extra states providing legalized sports activities betting than ever, that panorama has made wagering on the Derby extra well-liked. For all the week of the race, Churchill reported $446 million wager on from all sources, additionally topping final 12 months’s report of $412 million.
Churchill’s official on-line betting operator, TwinSpires, additionally reported a brand new report deal with of $60.9 million, beating final 12 months’s report of $48.9 million.
Beyond the betting numbers, this 12 months’s Derby additionally scored effectively with tv viewers, producing the best rankings since 1989. The quantity wager on the race little question had one thing to do with that. The race was seen by 16.7 million viewers, a 13% improve from final 12 months.
Viewership peaked at 20.1 million because the race formally bought underway and was completed, from 7 to 7:15 pm (EDT). Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone, and Forever Young all crossing the end line collectively grew to become the race’s first three-horse picture end since 1947.
Also on Saturday, Churchill and NBC introduced an extension of the community’s contract to hold the race, now operating via 2032.
The Derby numbers come as sports activities betting continues to rise throughout the nation. This 12 months’s Super Bowl additionally noticed report numbers because the Kansas City Chiefs gained the group’s second-straight title and third within the final 5 years.
