Woodbine reports handle increases for 2017

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine reported gains in all-sources handle for the third consecutive year after their 132-day meet ended on Dec. 10.

Woodbine recorded all-sources handle of $500,713,839 during the 2017 Thoroughbred meet, up 7.3 percent over 2016 with one fewer racing date. Woodbine also recorded a 1.7 percent increase in Standardbred handle over the 2017 calendar year.

“We continue to see fine wagering growth in both our Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing programs,” said Jim Lawson, chief executive officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “Racing fans of both breeds from across North America are enjoying our entertaining, competitive fields which feature some of the best horses, jockeys, drivers, and horsepeople in the world. Our commitment to high quality horse racing remains at the strategic core of our operation.”

Woodbine averaged 8.40 Thoroughbred starters per race over 1,237 races this season, up slightly from the 8.39 average starters per race over 1,249 races in 2016.

Trainer Norm McKnight ended Mark Casse’s run of 10 consecutive Woodbine training titles. McKnight finished the meet with 99 wins, surpassing Casse (96) on the final day of the season. McKnight recorded five winners on the 14-race closing-day card on Dec. 10 to secure his first Woodbine training title.

Eurico Da Silva surpassed 200 wins for the meet for the third consecutive year and recorded his fourth career Woodbine riding title. Da Silva finished the meet with 203 wins, besting his previous career high of 202 set in 2016. Da Silva is the only Woodbine rider ever to surpass 200 wins in a season multiple times.

Chiefswood Stable was the meet’s leading owner with earnings of $2.16 million. Chiefswood horses won 24 races over the meet, and the stable also sent out three different horses to run second in the three Canadian classics for 3-year-olds, including Tiz a Slam in the Queen’s Plate, Aurora Way in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, and Final Copy in the Breeders’ Stakes. Bruno Schickedanz led all owners in wins with 69, including 65 that came with McKnight.

Pink Lloyd was the meet’s top horse, as he went undefeated in eight stakes starts this season. The streak included a pair of graded stakes victories in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes and the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes. Holy Helena led all Woodbine horses in earnings with $930,000 in three starts, following wins in the Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate, along with a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby.

Woodbine’s 2018 meet, set for 133 dates, is scheduled to open on Apr. 21.