Woodbine Entertainment confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 10 that the 2022 Standardbred racing season at Woodbine Mohawk Park generated a record all-sources handle totalling $444,171,816.92.
Woodbine previously announced that the 2022 all-sources handle smashed the previous record of $364 million in 2019 and is part of more than $1 billion wagered on Woodbine Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing in 2022.
“It’s been a terrific year of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park and the wagering results are proof of that,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Our Standardbred racing product and brand continues to grow globally which speaks to the quality of racing we have, in large part thanks to the talent, commitment and dedication of our horsepeople.”
A total of 218 cards of live racing were conducted in 2022 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, marking the first full season since 2019. The average handle of $193,707.73 per race (2,293 races) was up from last year’s strong average of $191,398.92 (1,693 races).
Woodbine’s significant brand recognition across North America remained a large part of the success in 2022, with $329 million wagered through foreign outlets. The Home Market Area represented $81 million of the year’s total.
The 2022 season was highlighted by a few marquee event records.
The Pepsi North America Cup on Saturday, June 18 generated a record $6.3 million handle, eclipsing the previous record of $5.6 million from 2020. Superstar three-year-old Pebble Beach captured the 39th edition of Canada’s most prestigious harness race.
Later in the year, the third edition of the Mohawk Million generated a record handle of $3.9 million as Oh Well strolled to a sparkling score in the $1 million race.
The Breeders Crown, harness racing’s year-end championship series, was held over Oct. 28 and 29 at Mohawk Park. The two-day event generated $8.9 million in handle, up from the 2019 total of $6.6 million.
Key highlights of 2022 include:
- The 39th Pepsi North America sets new record handle of $6.3 million;
- Bulldog Hanover matches Canadian record in Pacing Derby;
- Oh Well gives Hunterton a Mohawk Million hat trick;
- Big Breeders Crown weekend brings in $8.9 million in handle;
- MacDonald wins eight races in one night.
The 2023 live racing season at Woodbine Mohawk Park is now underway. A total of 222 race dates are scheduled to be contested. Live racing currently takes place every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Post time is 7 p.m.
(With files from Woodbine)