The “quickest two minutes in sports activities” performed out on Saturday with the largest betting numbers in historical past for the Kentucky Derby. The race led to a three-way photograph end with document numbers of bettors plunking down some money on the motion.
Ultimately, Mystik Dan got here on high after dealing with odds of 18 to 1. At Churchill Downs, the observe noticed a document $320.5 million wager on the race on Derby Day, topping final yr’s earlier document of $288.7 million.
“The Kentucky Derby is a testomony to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship, unity and the facility of custom,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Invoice Carstanjen mentioned. “As we mirror on 150 years of our storied previous, we stay dedicated to innovating new experiences for Derby followers.”
Inside The Numbers
With extra states providing legalized sports activities betting than ever, that panorama has made wagering on the Derby extra standard. For all the week of the race, Churchill reported $446 million wager on from all sources, additionally topping final yr’s document of $412 million.
Churchill’s official on-line betting operator, TwinSpires, additionally reported a brand new document deal with of $60.9 million, beating final yr’s document of $48.9 million.
Past the betting numbers, this yr’s Derby additionally scored nicely 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 yr.
Viewership peaked at 20.1 million because the race formally acquired underway and was completed, from 7 to 7:15 pm (EDT). Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone, and Without end Younger all crossing the end line collectively turned the race’s first three-horse photograph end since 1947.
Additionally on Saturday, Churchill and NBC introduced an extension of the community’s contract to hold the race, now working by way of 2032.
The Derby numbers come as sports activities betting continues to rise throughout the nation. This yr’s Tremendous Bowl additionally noticed document numbers because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs gained the group’s second-straight title and third within the final 5 years.
