Canterbury Park Reports Record-Breaking Betting on Kentucky Derby Day

Over 10,000 people flooded into Canterbury Park to sip mint juleps and bet on the "The Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs.

Though opening day is more than a week away, the racing season at Canterbury Park got off to a brisk start this Saturday, thanks to a robust turnout on Kentucky Derby Day.

"We don't take attendance per se, but we're guessing that around 11,000 people came out on Saturday," said Jeff Maday, media relations manager for Canterbury. "It was absolutely packed on all three levels."

Canterbury's guests came armed with big hats, white gloves and cash to burn. The track posted a record-breaking handle number, the trade term for the amount of money wagered, Maday said. All in all, on Kentucky Derby Day Canterbury drew in $1.61 million in simulcast wagers, about $130,000 more than the previous record, which was set on Derby Day in 2004.

Canterbury's handle was 21 percent higher than last year, which perhaps signals a definitive rebound from the recession. Historically, "the two most exciting minutes in sports" has generated more money for the park than any other day of the year.

"Eight of our 10 biggest days were Kentucky Derby days, as far as money wagered," Maday said. "It's the standout day with wide national appeal."

Handles from 2009, 2010 and 2011 failed to crack the top 10, however. Maday said the precise reason for the dip was unclear, but he suspects that lower wagers from those years reflected the lagging national economy.

The betting blitz of Saturday could bode well for the 2013 season.

"Hopefully this is a good sign," Maday said. 

Canterbury's horse racing season opens on May 17.

Reported by:  Burnsville Patch