The Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced that overall handle and average nightly handle on the 2013 Mohawk Standardbred Meet, which concluded Monday, October 14, were up over last year.
The Campbellville oval, which celebrated its 50th racing season with 84 race cards, recorded an ‘all-sources’ betting total of $131,619,692, a 6.5 per cent increase over last year’s $123,533,108 (81 dates).
The average per-night total of $1,566,901 in 2013 was a 2.7 per cent increase over the $1,525,100 bet per card in 2012.
WEG was especially pleased with the betting numbers on its signature event, the Pepsi North America Cup. The ‘Cup’ card proved successful once again with $3,001,079 wagered, while $2,988,123 was wagered in 2012. The evening’s on-track handle also showed an increase with $935,630 wagered compared to $885,710 last year.
2013 Pepsi North America Cup – Captaintreacherous (1:48.3)
“We are very encouraged to see the wagering growth during the Mohawk meet,” said WEG Executive Vice President of Racing Jamie Martin. “The industry situation, with the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program, created a difficult operating environment this summer for staff and horsepeople. I’m pleased to see everyone’s effort produced positive results.”
When the 2013 Mohawk summer meet came to an end, a fresh face was atop the driving leaderboard. Sylvain Filion, who finished second during at the 2012 Mohawk meet, was the leading driver for the first time in his career. The resident of Milton, Ont. captured 114 wins in 752 starts, eight more victories than nearest rival, Scott Zeron.
O’Brien Award finalist, Richard Moreau led all trainers with 48 victories from 296 starters during the meet. Moreau finished one victory ahead of conditioner Jeff Gillis.
The Woodbine Fall-Winter-Spring Standardbred Meet, which will kick off Thursday, October 17, will offer a three day-a-week schedule, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, through December.
Following its Saturday, December 28 card, Woodbine will be ‘dark’ until Monday, January 6, when a Monday-Friday-Saturday night schedule through March, is launched.
First-race post time remains unchanged at 7:25 p.m.
The special Thursday, December 26 Boxing Day card is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
(WEG)