Thriving

[Pacer 2]

Second quarter 2026 U.S. harness racing economic indicators show increases vs. 2025
Posted on July 10, 2026 from the USTA Communications Department
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Columbus, OH – All harness racing economic indicators including total wagering, per race and betting interest averages, as well as purses distributed showed increases during the second quarter of 2026 from April 1 through June 30 compared to the same timeframe in 2025.


Total wagering was $389,481,334, up by $9,058,787 and a 2.38% increase from the $380,422,597 wagered in the second quarter of 2025.

Some highlights from tracks that promoted their increased handle during the second quarter were:

• Oak Grove Racing, who has reported consistent, weekly handle increases during their meet including on the two days following the Kentucky Derby and on Memorial Day weekend.

Following the Kentucky Derby, more than $873,000 was bet on Monday, May 4, a 50% increase, with Tuesday, May 5 seeing betting up by 20% from 2025.  To read more about what was the track’s best handle week ever, click here.

During Memorial Day weekend, handle nearly doubled on the holiday, Monday, May 25, and was up almost 50% the day after on Tuesday, May 26. To read their Memorial Day weekend story, click here.

• The Meadows surpassed $1 Million in daily handle Wednesday, Jan. 28 and saw more than $3 Million wagered during the week that also included Saturday, Jan. 24 and Thursday, Jan. 29. For the details, click here.

Average betting per race was $40,634, a $636 and 1.59% increase from 2025. There were 9,585 wagering races during the second quarter this year versus 9,511 a year ago.

From April 1 through June 30, $123,811,236 in purses were distributed compared to $121,535,681 last year. Race days were up from 817 to 834 in the second quarter, a 2.08% increase.

Recent news reported that wagering on Thoroughbred racing was down by 4.7% in June and has decreased by 4.52% for this year compared to 2025.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS ON U.S. RACES – April 1 through June 30, 2026 —
2026 vs 2025

2026   2025   % Change
Total Wagered   $389,481,334   $380,422,597   + 2.38%
Per Race avg.   $40,634   $39,998   + 1.59%
Per Betting Interest   $5,268   $5,155   + 2.19%
Purses   $123,811,236   $121,535,681   + 1.87%
Race Days   834   817   + 2.08%

[gurals casino]

do you have any numpers on how much of the handle is CAW?

[Lockedin with Pace]

The bottom line is, there was 9 million dollars more wagered, but there were 17 more race dates in 2026 than for the same period in 2025, so the increase is really only minimal, a 2.38% increase in handle, but a 2.08% increase in number of race dates.

[seen2much]

9 million at 3% for the tracks = $270,000. Add in a little for what is bet on track. It is nothing & definitely not thriving.

[Racetime]

Return for online wagering isn't anything compared to a live handle harness racing was thriving in the 70s and 80s and started dying in the 90s

[gurals casino]

9 million at 3% for the tracks = $270,000. Add in a little for what is bet on track. It is nothing & definitely not thriving.

it is less than 3% when you factor they basically give the signal away to the CAW action.

[Ignorance Is Bliss]

So down 14% last year compared to 2024. Down first quarter this year then up over 2% compared to first quarter. Meaning still not even close to recouping the losses from last year or worse the last ten years. Yeah.... Thriving! 

[gurals casino]

So down 14% last year compared to 2024. Down first quarter this year then up over 2% compared to first quarter. Meaning still not even close to recouping the losses from last year or worse the last ten years. Yeah.... Thriving! 

Pacer2 doesn't like discussing facts like this.

handle has been down year over year at least 5% the last 5 years--those who claim it is thriving will stick their heads in the sand and pretend they don't see the numpers

[bestbettor]

Seems some of you guys want the industry to end...

[gurals casino]

just stating facts

sugar coating the reality of the situation is being ignorant