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October 09, 2008
NEWS RELEASE


HANDLE, PURSES DOWN IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2008


Contact: Keith Chamblin, NTRA (859) 422-2645 Rhonda Norby, Equibase (859) 224-2856



The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Equibase Company LLC today released the “Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators“ for United States and Canadian pari-mutuel wagering on U.S. Thoroughbred racing during the third quarter of 2008, as well as for U.S. purses and race days, with prior-year, third-quarter comparisons.

During the third quarter, pari-mutuel handle decreased 9.85% in year-over-year comparisons. Total purses were off by 2.37% during the same period, while race days were down by 1.29%. For the nine months ending on September 30, wagering is down 5.75% compared to 2007 levels, with purses dipping 0.04% and race days off by 0.87%.

“Our industry’s difficult year continued during the summer as a harsh economy and other factors continued to negatively impact business,” said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA.

Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators (third qtr. 2008 vs. third qtr. 2007)
Indicator 3Q 2008 3Q 2007 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,489,171,872 $3,870,348,046 -9.85
U.S. Purses $350,636,880 $359,154,213 -2.37
U.S. Race Days 1,913 1,938 -1.29


*Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races and separate pool wagering in Canada on U.S. races.

Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators (first three qtrs. 2008 vs. first three qtrs. 2007)
Indicator 1,2,3 Q 2008 1,2,3 Q 2007 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $10,754,907,211 $11,411,642,388 -5.75
U.S. Purses $891,938,358 $892,336,110 -0.04
U.S. Race Days 4,786 4,828 -0.87


*Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races and separate pool wagering in Canada on U.S. races.

Equibase Company is a partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA) and serves as the Thoroughbred Industry’s Official database for racing information and statistics. Through its Web site, equibase.com, the Company offers an ever-increasing menu of racing information, statistics and handicapping products for everyone from the casual fan to the most experienced handicapper.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.