All-sources handle for the 10-race program of the first day of the 36th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1 reached US$56,517,228, a record for Breeders' Cup Friday and a 5.4% increase over last year's 10-race Breeders' Cup "Future Stars Friday" card at Churchill Downs.
The Future Stars Friday card featured five Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-old horses, the second consecutive year of grouping all of the juvenile races on the same day since the event expanded to its current two-day format in 2007.
Friday's attendance was 41,243, similar to last year's 42,249 at Churchill and the second-highest among seven Breeders' Cup Fridays at Santa Anita. Friday's on-track handle for the 10-race card was US$6,340,351.
Breeders' Cup Friday Attendance, Handle History
2018, Churchill Downs—42,249; $53,636,272
2017, Del Mar—32,728; $52,273,883
2016, Santa Anita—45,673; $49,651,600
2015, Keeneland—44,497; $46,251,965
2014, Santa Anita—37,205; $47,666,982
2013, Santa Anita—35,633; $52,594,370
2012, Santa Anita—34,619; $48,997,009
2011, Churchill Downs—40,677; $52,095,202
2010, Churchill Downs—41,614; $54,889,388
2009, Santa Anita—37,651; $50,662,945
2008, Santa Anita—31,257; $49,473,304
2007, Monmouth Park—27,803; $31,499,007
