The Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced the average nightly wagering handle on the 2012 Woodbine standardbred meet, which concluded Monday, May 14, showed a solid 10.59 per cent rise over last year

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An average of $1,493,112 was wagered per card over the 76 dates offered in the early part of the 2012 racing season. The per card handle in 2011 averaged $1,350,134 in 75 dates.

The 'all-sources' betting total this meet was $113,476,556.

"We are pleased with the continued growth of our product in the U.S. which is the main contributor to the increase in handle," said Bruce Murray, WEG's vice president of Standardbred Racing. “With the introduction of additional wagering options set to take effect with the Mohawk opener, we believe this trend will continue in a positive direction.”

At Woodbine, field size held steady at 8.9 horses per race in 2012, down slightly from the 9.0 figure in 2011.

On the track, driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Richard Moreau collected top honours in their respective divisions.

Jamieson, Canada's Driver of the Year in 2011, notched 108 wins from 595 starters, while Moreau sent 61 horses to the winner's circle from 293 starts.

Looking ahead to Mohawk, the $1.5-million Pepsi North America Cup is the most anticipated event on the stakes calendar and will feature the sport's top three-year-old pacers. It is set for Saturday, June 16.

Other major race dates this summer include the Maple Leaf Trot on Saturday, July 21; the Metro Pace and Canadian Pacing Derby on Saturday, September 1, and the Canadian Trotting Classic on Saturday, September 15.

Racing returns to Mohawk this Thursday, May 17.

(WEG)