Betting on Thoroughbred racing was down again in April, despite a 20 percent increase in handle on Kentucky Oaks Day.

According to Equibase, monthly wagering fell $26 million, or 2.52 percent compared to the same month in 2009, to just over $1 billion. U.S. purses were virtually the same for the month, at $82 million, and the number of race days was down by only nine days, or 2.04 percent.

This year, the Kentucky Oaks was on April 30, boosting monthly revenue and purses. All-source Oaks Day betting revenue was up $6 million to almost $36 million.

Year-to-date, wagering is down $347 million, or 8.40 percent; year-to-date purses are down 7.33 percent to $276.4 million; and year-to-date race days are down 7.21 percent to 1,481.