by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Woodbine Entertainment Group today announced the final wagering numbers for the recently concluded Standardbred meet at Mohawk Racetrack.

The 2016 Mohawk meet, which began on April 7, featured 144 race cards, 26 more than 2015, and had an all-sources wagering total of C$215,022,527, an 18.5 percent increase over the 2015 all-sources wagering total of C$181,432,465.

The average per-race handle showed a 1.07 percent increase from C$139,135 in 2015 to C$140,629 in 2016.

The 2016 meet was highlighted by a record-setting evening on Mohawk’s signature night.

The Pepsi North America Cup card on Saturday (June 18) generated the highest handle in both the history of the event and Mohawk Racetrack, as C$5,241,508 was wagered on the 15-race card. Wagering on the 2016 Pepsi North America Cup card was up an impressive 22 percent in comparison to 2015.

This was the second consecutive year that the Pepsi North America Cup card handle record was broken, while the previous Mohawk Racetrack single-card handle record of C$5,006,896 set in August 2014 was surpassed by C$234,612.

A record crowd of 17,602 passed through the entrances on June 18 and saw 3-year-old pacer Betting Line win the Pepsi North America Cup. Fans also witnessed the fastest mile in the 53-year history of Mohawk, as Always B Miki captured the Mohawk Gold Cup in 1:47.1 on the undercard.

For the second consecutive season, Sylvain Filion led all drivers in victories during the Mohawk meet with 192. Richard Moreau topped the trainer standings with 94 wins.

The leading owner for the meet was Serge Godin’s Determination stable with 30 victories and more than C$1.2 million in earnings.

Live Standardbred racing now shifts to Woodbine Racetrack for the fall-winter meet beginning Thursday.