Playersboycott.org: Horseplayers Boycott Churchill Downs

Handle Update

PLAYERSBOYCOTT.org May 18, 2014

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Handle Update MAY 18, 2014 -

PLAYERSBOYCOTT.org reports boycott gaining traction, handle down sharply at Churchill and Arlington, stable at Belmont despite a bigger drop in .avg field size than both Churchill and Arlington, and handle up slightly at Pimlico.




Arlington, Mother's Day Weekend 2013 vs. Mother's Day Weekend 2014:


Total handle and avg. handle per race DOWN -27.6%

Note: Belmont down just 2.4% for the same weekend despite a larger drop in avg field size.




Arlington, Preakness Weekend 2013 vs. Preakness Weekend 2014:


Total handle and avg. handle per race DOWN -33.15%




Churchill, Mother's Day Weekend 2013 vs. Mother's Day Weekend 2014:


Total handle DOWN 32.5% and avg. handle per race DOWN 25.7%.

Note: Belmont down just 2.4% for the same weekend despite a larger drop in avg field size.




Churchill, Preakness Weekend 2013 vs. Preakness Weekend 2014:


Total handle DOWN 31.3% and avg. handle per race DOWN 24.04%.




Belmont, Mother's Day Weekend 2013 vs. Mother's Day Weekend 2014:


Down just 2.4% despite a larger drop in avg field size than both Arlington and Churchill.




Belmont, Preakness Weekend 2013 vs. Preakness Weekend 2014:


Total handle up slightly (1 more race this year than last year.)




Pimlico, Mother's Day Weekend 2013 vs. Mother's Day Weekend 2014:


Total handle up slightly despite one fewer race this year than last year. Avg. handle per race up only slightly despite noticeable jump in avg. field size.




Pimlico, Preakness Weekend 2013 vs. Preakness Weekend 2014:


Total handle and avg. handle per race up 2.0% despite the drop in avg. field size.


Churchill's meet is 37 days long. There are 14 days in the books and 23 days left to go. You the everyday horseplayer still have a very big say in all of this.

Stay the course for the next 23 days and the racing world will hear your message loud and clear.


Key Executives at CHDN have made a calculated decision to hit horseplayers with a takeout increase. WIN-PLACE-SHOW takeout at Churchill Downs was recently raised to 17.50%, an increase of 9.375% vs. last year's takeout of 16.00%. Takeout for all EXOTIC wagers at Churchill Downs was recently raised to 22.00%, an increase of 15.79% vs. last year's takeout rate of 19.00%.

• PLAYERSBOYCOTT.org is asking horseplayers to consider the idea that horseplayers are consumers and that every handle dollar bet not just at Churchill Downs, but at CHDN owned tracks Arlington Park, Calder, and Fairgrounds, along with every handle dollar bet through CHDN owned ADW Twinspires.com, and every dollar spent downloading data and reports from CHDN owned data provider Brisnet.com is a vote for higher takeout everywhere.

• PLAYERSBOYCOTT.org also wants horseplayers to know there are plenty of tracks running this summer whose wagering menus offer better value than Churchill and that players have other options when it comes to choice of ADWs and data providers.


* About the above numbers: The above numbers were compiled by horseplayers who spent volunteer man-hours combing through the charts hand keying pool amounts into a spreadsheet. If you notice an obvious mistake please let us know by email at: info @ hanaweb . org (remove the blank spaces first)


Tracks you may want to check out this weekend:

• Woodbine: 14.95% WIN takeout

• Belmont: 16.0% takeout WPS    18.50% takeout Exactas and Doubles    15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5 races 1-5    (arguably the most insightful pre-race TV analysis of any track out there.)

• Santa Anita: 15.43% takeout WPS    18.0% takeout rolling Doubles    14.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5 races 1-5.

• Gulfstream: 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5

• Hastings Park: 15.0% takeout WPS, Double, Pick3, Pick4, and Pick5

• Northlands Park: 14.50% takeout WPS    10.0% takeout Pick5    (the LOWEST WPS and Pick5 takeout of any track in North America)

• Prairie Meadows: 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick4

• Monmouth: 19.0% takeout Exacta and Double    15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick4 and Pick5


NEW! Printable Takeout Guide for your Wallet! click here

NEW! Printable Takeout Guide for your Desk! click here

These two printable PDF charts point out, at a glance, Player friendly wagers available at North American thoroughbred tracks. "Player friendly" is defined as less than 17% for WPS and less than 20% for all other wagers. Focusing wagering handle on these pools is a way to send the message to all tracks that lower takeout rate wagers will be supported and that lowering takeout rates on all wagers is the most efficient path to future wagering handle growth. Please also note that while several wager types for Arlington and Calder appear on the list at this time we recommend avoiding them during the boycott of their parent company, Churchill Downs Incorporated.

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