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The 2011 Kentucky Derby brought in a record $165.2 million in wagers, and that is not including bets taken online.
All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby card was $165.2 million, the third-highest in Derby history and an increase of 1.5 percent over the prior year's $162.7 million. All-sources handle on the Derby race itself was $112.0 million, flat with 2010's $112.7 million. Churchill Downs returned $135.3 million to bettors, which amounts to 81.9 percent of total wagering on the Derby Day race card.
The event also broke the all time attendance record at Churchill Downs set way back in 1974. 164,858 people packed the racetrack, shattering the old record of 163,628.
It was also the first America's premier race win for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds for owners and breeders Team Valor, trainer H. Graham Motion and jockey John Velazquez.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
