Northlands ends meet with 12.5 percent increase in handle

Total mutuel handle at the 2012 Northlands Park meet that concluded Saturday was up by 12.5 percent compared to last year.

The total amount wagered over the 81-day meet was $18,705,099, a $1,662,384 increase over the $16,626,450 wagered over the same number of days in 2011. The daily average was $230,927, compared last year’s average of $205,624.

The ontrack numbers were down, however. This year $6,834,733 was wagered at Northlands compared to $7,075,028 in 2011, a 3.4 percent decrease.

Management at Northlands were pleased with how the meet went.

“We began our season in May by offering new experiences to our guests at Northlands Park,” said Richard L. Anderson, president and CEO of Northlands. “The energy and enthusiasm I’ve seen over the last few months indicates a bright future for horse racing in Alberta.”

Ron Grieves topped the trainer standing with 47 wins, four more than Greg Tracy. Rico Walcott was the leading jockey at the meet with 114 wins. Scott Williams, second with 97 wins, was the leading apprentice in Canada.