The Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced that average nightly wagering handle on Mohawk Racetrack's 2010 standardbred meet, which concluded this past Saturday, was up over last year
.
The 'all-sources' average nightly betting total of $1,219,867 versus $1,201,513 in 2009 represents a 1.5 per cent increase year over year, despite smaller average field size (8.8 in 2010 versus 9.0 in 2009) and fewer races per card (11.0 in 2010 versus 11.4 in 2009).
"There were numerous positives in the overall numbers," said WEG Vice President of Standardbred Racing Bruce Murray. "There was a negative trend entering the Mohawk meet, so the impact of higher quality summer racing and the number of excellent stakes turned the numbers around. We hoped to maintain larger field size, but the challenges of filling five cards a week were demanding, especially in the latter part of the meet."
The company was especially buoyed by the betting numbers on its major race nights in the summer. The North America Cup card was up 2 per cent overall, including 10 per cent on track, while the Metro Pace/Canadian Pacing Derby program was up 9 per cent overall. Canadian Trotting Classic night was up 16 per cent overall.
"The company takes a lot of pride and puts a lot of resources into its major stakes nights, so we're pleased with the results," Murray said. "The excitement of the higher profile nights resonates with customers and it was reflected in the final numbers."
Rick Zeron, with 121 wins, was the top driver at the 108-day meet, which kicked off May 20. Casie Coleman was the top trainer with 40 wins.
The Woodbine Racetrack's 2010 fall meet, which kicked off this past Monday, will continue into the winter. Upcoming features include the Fall Four Stakes (Goldsmith Maid, Governors Cup, Three Diamonds, Valley Victory) for two-year-olds on November 6 and the $2.4 million Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals on November 13.
(WEG)
What was the average amount
What was the average amount wagered overall
per race
compared to last year?
Wow! No mention of the real
Wow! No mention of the real reasons they were up 1.5% instead of down 15%.
TVG heavily promoted Mohawk this year showing most races and giving out tickets for their bettors to play with commentary from Mohawk in-house handicappers.
Mohawk's signal was available to rebate shops for the first time this year which meant high volume bettors finally got the chance to wager on their product.
Given the fact handle should have been up at least 10% considering both of the above factors....I guess they think up 1.5% without even mentioning anything about either of the above is GREAT!
How can WEG not know the reasons why they were up 1.5%? If they did, why would they not mention those as the real reasons they were up?