Through the first two months of 2019, horse racing handle in Virginia is up over $1.2 million over the same period a year ago. A combined total of $17,548,623 was bet in January and February compared to $16,305,385 in 2018.
Advance deposit wagering (ADW) handle — or on line betting in simpler verbiage — is up 5.9% for the time period. Of the four on line betting partner companies in Virginia, TVG.com continues to lead the way in handle generation with $6,119,023 versus $5,680,723 last year, an increase of 7.7%. TwinSpires.com follows with an increase of $5.9% ($4,133,001 versus $3,900,745) while XpressBet.com remains basically at the same level ($1,927,006 versus $1,930,061). NYRABets.com, still the newest player in Virginia, saw handle rise 10.68% to $270,893 from $244,747 a year ago. Overall, ADW handle is $12,449,924 compared with $11,756,277.
Handle at the four Virginia Bets Off Track Betting Centers experienced an uptick as well. A combined $5,098,698 was bet between the Breakers (Henrico), Ponies & Pints (Richmond), Buckets (Chesapeake) and Windmill Sports Grill (Collinsville/Martinsville) sites. The 2018 figure was $4,549,107.
With many key Kentucky Derby prep races slated in the coming days, Triple Crown season on the horizon and Colonial Downs reopening with five new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium sites in the Commonwealth this year, 2019 is shaping up to be a solid year.
Key Derby Prep Races Coming Soon:
Sat. March 16 – $750,000 Rebel Stakes (Gr. 2) at Oaklawn (2 divisions)
Sat. March 23 – $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (Gr. 2) at Fair Grounds
Sun. March 24 – $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. 3) at Sunland
Sat. March 30 – $1,000,000 Florida Derby (Gr. I) at Gulfstream
Sat. April 6 – $1,000,000 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes (Gr. 2) at Keeneland
Sat. April 6 – $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) at Santa Anita
Sat. April 6 – $750,000 Wood Memorial (Gr. 2) at Aqueduct
Sat. April 13 – $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (Gr. I) at Oaklawn
Sat. April 13 – Lexington Stakes (Gr. 3) at Keeneland
