by John Siscos, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Central Ontario Standardbred Association today announced that effective Thursday, Feb. 17, Standardbred purses at Woodbine and Mohawk will be raised.

The increase is largely a result of improved wagering numbers in the second half of 2010 in addition to fewer races conducted than budgeted as a result of horse supply.

“Business stabilized after the return to Mohawk last year and increased exposure for our product in the U.S., so the year-end numbers were better than originally forecast,” said Bruce Murray, WEG’s Vice-President of Standardbred Racing, on behalf of the WEG-COSA partnership. “The Guaranteed Starter Bonus recently implemented on a trial basis at Woodbine, in which C$300 is offered to starters that finish from sixth to last, is included in the purse increase.”

After two purse increases in 2008, WEG purses were forced to be reduced on April 1, 2010, after a general softening of the Standardbred wagering market. The move this year to a four-night per week racing schedule at Woodbine (vs. five in 2010) has resulted in increased field size, improved horse quality, and thus far been effective in raising average handle.