Ontrack betting rises

Total wagering was down but daily ontrack wagering on live racing at Assiniboia Downs was up slightly this year compared to the 2005 meeting.

The daily ontrack average for the 70-day meeting, which ended last Sunday, was $79,039, compared to $77,237 at the 75-day meeting last year. Total ontrack wagering was $5,473,085 this year, down from $5,792,775 for last year's longer meet. (Handle from the June 17 card, which was canceled after three races, was not counted by the track when figuring daily average handle.)

A total of 553 races were run this year, compared to 598 in 2005. Daily ontrack average wagering per race was $9,897 compared to $9,687.

Simulcasts of Assinboia's live product brought in a total of $1,771,728, a daily average of $25,539. The corresponding simulcast figures last year were $2,522,797 and $33,637.

On the racetrack, Ardell Sayler captured his eighth training title at Winnipeg track with 42 wins. Tom Gardipy Jr. and Carl Anderson finished in a tie for second with 38 wins.

Alan Cuthbertson, at age 57, finished with 81 wins to top the jockey standings. Rohan Singh and Kirk Johnson tied for second with 78 wins.