The Woodbine Entertainment Group today released its standardbred racing wagering figures for 2008
.
The company saw betting in the Greater Toronto Area on all standardbred racing product remain steady from 2007 to 2008. A total of $236,063,930 was bet in Toronto in 2008, compared to $237,457,870 in 2007.
All-sources handle per race on live WEG standardbred racing (2,680 races in total) was $113,653 in 2008, compared to $117,800 (2,787 races in total) in 2007.
The all-sources total of $304,589,760 was wagered on 230 cards, 23 fewer than in 2007 when $328,284,760 was bet on 253 cards.
With 230 cards, average field size was an outstanding 9.0 horses per race at both Mohawk and Woodbine in 2008, compared to 8.5 at Woodbine and 8.8 at Mohawk in 2007 (253 cards).
"We're pleased to see betting on standardbred racing in Toronto hold steady over 2007," said Jamie Martin, WEG's senior vice president of Racing. "With fewer dates as a result of reduced horse supply, 2008 was expected to be a difficult year."
Overnight and stakes purses, including supplements and nominations fees, paid out in 2008 totalled $77,581,360 ($337,310 per card) versus $79,874,166 ($315,708 per card) last year.
On track in 2008, Jody Jamieson captured his first WEG driver's title with a total of 282 wins. Rick Zeron was second with 260 visits to the winner's circle and Randy
Waples was third in the year-end standings with 248 victories.
The WEG trainer's title was shared in 2008 by Ben Baillargeon and Rob
Fellows, who finished out with 95 wins apiece. It was the first WEG title for both Baillargeon and Fellows. Casie Coleman was third with 80 winners on the WEG circuit.
Somebeachsomewhere won the circuit's highest profile event, the North America Cup, in June.
Mister Big won the Canadian Pacing Derby, Major In Art scored the Metro Pace, Deweycheatumnhowe took the Canadian Trotting Classic and Arch Madness won the Maple Leaf Trot.
(WEG)
As a bettor, this is what I
As a bettor, this is what I want,...
Reduce the parimutuel takeout to 15% across the board at every track in Ontario, which would still be higher than it was 25 years ago.
A share of the slots bonanza. The horse racing "industry" decided to split the revenue 10% racetrack owner, 10% horsemen, 5% host city, and 0% horse bettor. Are bettors not a part of the industry?
When I bet the Meadowlands so-called common pool, give me the same payoffs as the Meadowlands, not an additional 1 to 10% taken out to "reflect WEG commission rates"
When I bet the Meadowlands at Windsor simulcast, give me the same payoffs as someone betting the Meadowlands at London or Toronto. Did you know that Windsor's takeout on most pools at the Meadowlands is 1.3% to 9.3% higher than the rest of ONTARIO! Their takeout on place and show pools is 26.3% as compared to 17% throughout the rest of Ontario. Why do horsemen, racetracks, and the CPMA allow such a thing?
Consistent judging. Also make judges accountable for their mistakes, just like horsemen.
Reasonably priced food and drinks. Restaurants and bars that are in the business of selling food and drink have cheaper prices and make a living at it. Racetracks, whose main business is gambling, should use cheaper prices to attract customers. $6.00 for a bottle of beer is ridiculous.
Comfortable simulcast facilities throughout the province instead of the backroom of some bar or hotel that makes you feel like a third class citizen. Most in my area don't even have service for food or drink, you have to get your own.
The same treatment slots players get.
Volume on the TV's at simulcast, not muted so they don't annoy other patrons.
Give me a reason to bring newcomers to harness racing. I can't take them to a dump like Windsor, Woodstock, or Dresden. If I take them to Woodbine, we are in a grandstand that holds 40,000 people with about 1000 patrons sprinkled all over. There is almost zero atmosphere, plus the $6.00 a beer factor. Crowds attract bigger crowds. It is not entirely about betting, you have to get the people there first, have a good time, and maybe betting will come later. Of course, then they will realize that when they bet $50.00, they are charged $12.50 ( 25% ), just for the privilege of betting.
Make every track operator watch the Meadowlands, 90% of what they do is superior to every other harness track in North America.
That's it for now, it's 11:00 p.m., I'm getting tired. By the way, I bet 80% of my money on the Meadowlands, 18% on WEG, 2% on "others". No bets tonight.
Anonymous
In reply to As a bettor, this is what I by Anonymous (not verified)
Can't (wouldn't) argue with
Can't (wouldn't) argue with anything you have stated.
You have clearly identified clawing at your betting dollar (tracks), ridiculous food and beverage charges (tracks), poor atmosphere and surroundings (tracks), putrid equipment and service to bettors (tracks) and inconsistent judges (ORC).
You have made no reference to drugs, cheating, lame or unprepared horses. Yet the largest track-owner cites THESE as 'the Bettors' primary reasons for not betting.
It's tough for horsemen to fight on behalf of the Bettor, when the tracks are claiming the 'direct line' to the Bettor' - without of course ever identifying their 'source(s)'.
So sorry you're not getting the kind of show the Horsemen would like to see you get ... and that the OLGC is paying track owners HUGE money to provide.
I think we have common ground there?
As a bettor, I have a few
As a bettor, I have a few problems with Ralph's thinking. First of all, $30,000,000 more in handle means another $7,000,000 out of bettor's pockets, whose money, as everyone knows, grows on trees. Second, 23 nights to get 207 horses raced is only one race per night, so the handle might not quite be $1.3 million on those nights. ( Like you said, figures don't lie ). Third, adding MORE CARDS for 2009. I am looking at a Windsor progam for Jan, 20, and Ms SUZIE Q has lines to be announced from Jan. 16 at London, and Jan. 17 at Windsor. ( she finished 4th and 2nd respectivly, according to SC ). Why more cards when a horse can race 3 times in 5 days? If you want to increase handle, maybe you should find out what the bettors want.
In reply to As a bettor, I have a few by Anonymous (not verified)
Okay, my anonymous friend -
Okay, my anonymous friend - what do you want?
But, first off - I made a mistake, which your 'figuring' confirmed. As our other friend said - it's 2070 - not 207 - horses missing races.
Second - apples to oranges in your 'comparison'. The number of horses available to fill Windsor cards vs Woodbine race cards - and purses - are not comparable. Depending on the length of time between entering and racing, one can always 'double-enter'.
How does that affect your betting strategy? 'Strong, sound horse' ... or ... 'tired, stretched horse'???
Also - as a bettor with money 'grown' the same as the rest of us ... I presume you'll be betting the Windsor card tonight. Will that be all, or will you bet Georgian, Yonkers, Balmoral, and maybe a few Thoroughbred races too ;-)
A few extra Woodbine cards would not HURT bettors - it'd give them better bang for their betting buck!?
You are correct in your
You are correct in your analysis except it would be 23 cards of racing x avg. 10 races each card x 9 horses = 2070 more horses racing for cheques in 2008!!!!!
Figures don't lie ... My
Figures don't lie ...
My figuring, WAGERING-WISE:
$304,589,760 / 230 cards = $1,324,303 Average Handle per card in 2008
$328,284,760 / 253 cards = $1,297,568 Average Handle per card in 2007
IF the additional 23 cards had been offered, the Total 2008 bet WOULD HAVE BEEN:
$1,324,303 x 23 more cards = $30,458,969 + $304,589,760 = $335,048,729
AND 23 X 9 = 207 MORE HORSES would have raced for a purse in 2008.
So, don't the 'figures' support adding MORE CARDS for 2009???