from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — The total wagering on harness racing at U.S. tracks in 2013 surpassed $1.6 billion and represented more than a six percent increase from 2012 while nearly $422 million was paid out in purses during the past 12 months, four percent more than the previous year, it was reported by the United States Trotting Association today.

Total handle on U.S. harness racing in 2013 was $1,604,039,996, an increase of $91,847,989 (6.07 percent) from the $1,512,192,077 wagered in 2012. With 12 additional race days in 2013, 3,880 versus 3,868 a year ago, the average total handle per race day was $413,412 compared to $390,949, an increase of 5.75 percent.

On those 3,880 race days last year, $421,890,322 was distributed in purses compared to the 2012 total of $405,657,174, an increase of $16,233,148 or 4.00 percent.

Following are the comparative economic indicators for U.S. harness racing from 2013 and 2012.

Please note: Includes U.S. and Canadian common and separate pool wagers on races contested in the U.S. Data source: United Tote.

The United States Trotting Association, located in Columbus, Ohio, is a not-for-profit association of Standardbred owners, breeders, drivers, trainers, and officials, organized to provide administrative, rulemaking, licensing and breed registry services to its members. For more information on the USTA, please visit www.ustrotting.com.