The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 4, 2010 – In a non-recession year, 2009’s figures would have been considered lukewarm for American Quarter Horse racing. However, in a very difficult season for horse racing overall, the sprinters continued to weather the storm well, as the number of starters, total purses and added money rose, while the number of races and total handle dipped slightly.

The number of American Quarter Horse races dropped by .4 percent, from 9,152 in 2008 to 9,113 in 2009. The significant loss of races at Les Bois Park, Blue Ribbon Downs, Mount Pleasant Meadows and Retama Park was mostly offset by an increase in races at Fair Grounds, Sam Houston Race Park and Hialeah Park. A net loss of 39 contests was seen in 2009.

Despite fewer races in 2009, the total number of American Quarter Horse starters rose from 16,911 to 17,180, an increase of 1.6 percent. The number of 2-year-old starters rose 32.7 percent to 5,616; 3-year-olds were up 29.1 percent to 5,005. The number of aged runners saw the greatest increase, up 34.3 percent to 5,894.

Total purses also rose by 1.7 percent, from $125.5 million to $127.6 million. Much of that gain was the result of a 5.4 percent increase in added money: $102.4 million, up from $97.2 million. [Note that where dollar figures are rounded, they may not reflect the percentages listed, which are actual.]

The average purse per race rose 2.1 percent to $14,005, though all of that gain – and more – was by 2-year-olds; purses in derbies and 3-and-up races fell.

The average starter last year earned $7,428, a .1 percent rise from 2008. The average 2-year-old starter earned $8,262 (up 3.6 percent), the average 3-year-old starter earned $7,776 (down 3.3 percent) and the average aged starter earned $6,404 (up .3 percent).

Total handle was off 1.4 percent in 2009, at $328.4 million. Average handle per race dropped .8 percent to $36,340; however, most of that decline was seen in races among older horses: average handle among 2-year-old races rose by 1.8 percent to $37,920 while the average handle for 3-year-olds and up fell a whopping 19 percent to $74,157.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge saw moderate losses in 2009 enrollment numbers. New enrollments fell from 3,716 to 3,567, a 4 percent decline. Almost all of that enrollment drop of 149 was represented by weanlings, which account for the vast majority of Challenge enrollments. The Bank of America Racing Challenge began in 1993 and since that time has distributed more than $52 million to breeders and owners of racing American Quarter Horses. This year marks the 18th year of the program. There is $5 million in total purses and awards for 2010, thanks to corporate partners, host tracks, horsemen and the Bank of America Racing Challenge Purse Fund.

Some trends at the racing office, betting window and finish line:

• Racing secretaries wrote 2,361 races at 350 yards, making it the most popular distance in 2009; 300 yards was a close second, with 330 and 400 yards making up most of the remainder, in that order.

• Races at 220 yards had the highest average handle last year, at $56,571; 300-yard races had the second-highest average, with $55,992; 440-yard races averaged $40,282, the only other distance to finish with a average per-race handle above $40,000.

• Of horses going off as the race favorite, 35.33 percent finished first in 2009, with 69.21 percent of favorites finishing in the money.

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