The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 21

the betting page 9 Derby Day is what makes Churchill Downs a big deal "Derby Day means a lot to Churchill Downs, but Churchill Downs also means a lot to the Louisville-area economy. Story, Page 1. But on Derby Day, the average, amount bet falls to maybe $70. The recent record low was $48 in 1974. Yesterday the average amount bet was $71.

The average amount bet falls, on the first Saturday in May because the Derby infield customer doesn't "bet the way a regular hard-core player bets," according to Rudy. But even so, the total handle for the day still is 10 to 12 per cent of the total amount bet for the year. Yesterday 123,817 people paid to see the races. The crowd bet $8,811,486, a new record. The Downs' share of the handle was $1,115,750.

Rudy said Derby Day is such an important part of the Downs' profit picture that the expansion of the recent racing schedule hasn't added greatly to the money the company makes. Of the 79 racing days, Rudy said, Derby Day is the only one of "critical importance to the welfare of the company. "Not that long ago we were racing 19 days. All things considered, the Downs wouldn't be that displeased to accept 20 days again," he said. By DAN KAUFFMAN Courier-Journal Business Wrlttr Derby Day is only a little more than 1 per cent of the annual racing season at Churchill Downs, but it accounts for better than 25 per cent of the Downs' revenues.

Churchill Downs, of course, exists to make money and it has ever since it became a separate corporation in 1950. But without the Derby, it would be an entirely different kind of business operation. "We wouldn't have but one little stand out here if it wasn't for the Derby," said Kenneth Coyte, secretary-treasurer of the organization. He pointed out that the Downs probably lost money last year on 42 of the 79 racing days. But he said that Saturday racing is always so good that it more than makes up for losses suffered during the week.

"Without the Derby we'd have to run an operation like Keeneland's," Coyte said. Keeneland is a nonprofit corporation. "If we didn't have the Derby, we could probably still make some money 4 but it would be much more difficult," Coyte said. Derby Day contributes the lion's share of the money the Downs takes in from admissions and concessions each year 57 per cent in 1974; 60 per cent in '75, and an estimated 57 per cent last year. With the exception of Derby Day, the price of admission isn't a very important of the Downs' revenue.

Grandstand admission on all days but Derby Day is just $1, William Rudy, Downs' publicity director, says general admission is thought of by Downs management as a "loss leader." Once a customer is at the Downs, management knows, he is likely to spend a lot of time at the mutuel windows. Enough time, in fact, to put down $100 or $120 on an average day. Record day? You can bet on that By VINCENT CROWDUS Courier-Journal staff Writer It was bid hat at the betting windows at Churchill Downs yesterday. Three Derby Day betting records were set. The $8,811,486 bet on the 10 Derby Day races was nearly $400,000 more than the previous record set last year.

The amount bet on the Kentucky Derby itself $3,655,225 was more than $200,000 above last year's record. And the $1,059,207 bet on Seattle Slew to win was a record. The first horse ever to have a million dollars bet on him to win was Honest Pleasure last year. His supporters put $1,049,461 on his nose, but, he didn't come through. The skies were heavy early in the day place ticket and $2.80 for each show ticket.

He returned $1,588,810 on the win tickets, $425,582 for place bets, and $249,364 for show bets. People betting on the entry of Run Dusty Run and Bob's Dusty got back $3.40 for each place ticket and $3.20 for each show ticket. The total return on place tickets was $315,957 and on the show tickets $211,054. The third place horse, Sanhedrin, returned $4.60 on each $2 bet, with a total of $145,912 going back to the bettors. The payoffs show that the track returned $2,936,679 of the $3,655,225 bet on the Derby if all tickets were cashed.

The remaining $718,546 went to Churchill Downs and to the state in pari-mutuel taxes. and some rain fell, but it didn't seem to dampen the betting spirits of the crowd. James Filburn, director of mutuels, said he was confident it would be a good day at the betting windows. As usual, the lines were long at all pari-mutuel windows when the Derby came up on the card. Even the $50 windows had brisk business.

Overheard at one $50 window under the grandstand were these bet placements: "Three tickets on No. 3 (Seattle Slew)." "Two on No. 3." "One ticket on everything except No. 3." Derby champion Seattle Slew paid $3 for each $2 win ticket, $2.80 for each Photo by Pat Partington Sister Mary Elise of Louisville checks her list before making a bet during a race at Churchill Downs yesterday. Joe Lachey of Michigan was curious about the sister's preference.

Ho iv the betting went Detailed bets on Derby Win Bob'l Dusty and Run Place Show Total Dusty Run 242,021 $185,857 $131,909 $559,787 Sanh.drin 107,986 71,082 63,440 242,508 Soattle Slew 1,059,207 303,987 178,117 1,541,311 Get the Axe 58,218 36,504 40,795 135,517 Flag Officer 35,184 16,966 18,524 70,674 Affiliate 42,941 25,912 29,367 98,220 Western Wind 52,417 27,011 27,032 106,460 For the Moment 210,362 157,243 126,796 494,401 Steve's Friend 55,828 33,135 38,597 127,560 Giboulee 40,862 24,237 27,579 92,678 Nostalgia 41,126 20,278 22,465 83,869 Sir Sir, Best Person and Papelote 38,448 22,766 41,026 102,240 Totals 924,978 $745,647 $3,655,225 Racing term may not mean what it seems By LOU YOUNKIN Loulsvllli Times Sporti Director It's a long time between races on Derby Day and yours truly, whiling away the minutes between the $2 losses yesterday at Churchill Downs, got the idea that there are times when horse racing terms can mean something entirely different. Some for instances. Colt The opposite of hot. Stallion The guy in "Rocky." Filly A horse from Philadelphia. Mare Harvey Sloane.

Odds One, three, five, seven and nine. Win Light and variable. Place Churchill Downs. Show The infield. Reins What the people in the infield hoped wouldn't fall on them.

Withers A girl who a lot of years ago was in the movies and now is in television commercials. Saddle Yesterday's Derby favorite and winner Saddle Slew. Streteh What you didn't have room to do yesterday. Mane A state in the northeastern United States. There's an old saying, "As the mane goes, so goes the notion," or something like that.

Field glasses AH those mint-julep containers. Rank Has its privileges. Allowance race A contest among teen-agers to see who gets the most money each week from his or her parents. Backing up in the stretch A move that comes as a distinct surprise to the horses going forward in the stretch. Racing on the rail A very difficult maneuver, especially for a horse.

Rail What the people who bet on losers do. Off track Where the spectators are. Handicapper A person who injures other persons for life. Grandstand A really fine stand. Detailed bets on all races Derby Day Win Placo Show Total First Race 143,808 67,148 52,841 263,797 Second Race 228,741 115,633 89,702 434,076 Third Race 267,181 132,713 113,597 513,493 Fourth Race 320,425 155,505 136,922 612,852 Fifth Race 389,783 191,799 152,438 734,020 Sixth Race 413,255 194,872 164,026 772,153 Seventh Race 420,357 198,230 167,157 785,744 Eighth Race (Derby) 1,984,600 924,978 745,647 3,655,225 Ninth Race 302,097 136,749 106,876 545,722 Tenth Race 294,252 116,817 83,335 494,404 Totalt $4,764,499 $2,234,446 $1,812,541 $8,811,486 PI I Jfc If jiWMiffiiWmir 'la ftBi Comparative table all races Year Totals Derby table Year Totals 1951 1950 1,248,026 1949 1,032,582 1948 470,833 1947 1,253,042 1946 1,202,474 1945 776,408 1944 651,444 1943 587,392 1942 631,198 1941 654,353 1940 456,149 1939 534,977 1938 528,742 1937 ...585,606 1936 472,750 1935 412,846 1934 382,584 1933 229,312 1932 277,105 1931 495,886 1930 584,894 ".979 675,106 1928 620,643 1927 676,443 Comparative Year Totals 1977 197 1975 3,365,130 1974 3,444,649 1973 ...3,284,962 1972 2,885,325 1971 2,648,139 1970 2,383,972 1969 .2,625,524 1968 2,350,470 1967 1,933,028 1966 2,133.378 1965 2.227,484 1964 2,144,079 1963 1,818,087 1962 1,553,916 1941 1.483,164 1960 1,490,199 1959 1,502,151 1958 1,635,000 1957 1,401,017 1954 1,666,550 1955 .1,677,178 1954 1,543,097 1953 1,532,731 1952 1,565,901 Year Totals 1977 $8,811,484 1974 $8,435,443 1975 7.734,500 1974 7,868,734 1973 7,627,945 1972 7,164,717 1971 .4,389,567 1970 5,811,127 1969 .6,106,346 1968 .5,506,069 1967 1.4,625,222 1964 5.308.285 1965 5,285,382 1964 5,173,018 1963 4,677,594 1962 4,150,312 1961 3,915,567 1960 4.008,078 1959 4.019,874 1958 4,227,033 1957 ..3 800,250 1956 4,360.732 1955 4,280,278 1954 4,234.231 1953 4.306.065 1952 4,944,420 1951 $3,675,542 1950 3.558.382 1949 3,148,733 194g 3,051,779 1947 .3,636,403 1946 3,608,208 1945 2,380,796 1944 3,139,982 1943 1,801,889 1942 1,963,011 1941 1,935.651 1940 .1,503,983 1939 1,674,599 1938 1,511,689 1937 1,535,604 1936 .1,269,183 1935 1,031,972 1934 999,140 1933 745,603 1932 850.809 1931 1,374,822 1930 1,664,409 1929 1,709,670 1928 1.890.050 1927 1,934,232 Photo by Stan Denny With his backpack and bag handy, Ron Veleta, of Clarksville, paused at the SIO sellers window at Churchill Downs yesterday before the 103rd Kentucky Derby..