by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Woodbine Entertainment Group today announced that wagering on its 2014 Standardbred racing season was up sharply over 2013.

Mohawk and Woodbine Racetracks hosted a total of 208 race dates in 2014, registering an all-sources betting total of C$309,767,299, a 6.05 percent increase over the 2013 figure of C$292,088,583 from 195 cards.

The per-race handle showed a 3.56 percent rise in 2014. An average wagering mark of C$132,266 from 2,342 races was recorded last year, while C$127,716 was bet per dash from 2,287 races contested during 2013.

“We had a strong 2014,” said Jamie Martin, WEG’s Executive Vice-President of Racing. “Our customers saw tremendous value in the product offered at both Woodbine and Mohawk and responded in their wagering and overall interest in the WEG Standardbred racing program.”

Total purses paid over the entire 2014 year totaled C$56,927,842, an increase of 7.4 percent over the C$53,005,732 figure paid over the full 2013 calendar. The daily purses paid in 2014 were C$273,691.

The largest handle figure in the 51-year history of Mohawk Racetrack, C$5,006,896, was recorded on August 30, the night of the Canadian Pacing Derby/Metro Pace. The total was the third highest in the history of the WEG Standardbred racing circuit.

The Pepsi North America Cup, won by JK Endofanera, featured the highest handle, C$3,437,037, for a ‘Cup’ card since the race moved to Mohawk in 2007.

The Jackpot Hi-5 wager was in the spotlight during the 2014 season.

On Saturday (May 17) at Woodbine, more than C$1.3 million was wagered into the Jackpot Hi-5 pool that featured a carryover of more than C$656,000, bringing the total pool to more than C$2 million.

That figure would be topped on August 30 at Mohawk, when more than C$2 million was wagered into the pool that had a carryover of C$647,000.

“We’ve seen an enthusiastic response to our Jackpot Hi-5 bet,” Martin said. “Both core and casual racing fans are willing to handicap one race in their own manner for the chance at a lucrative payout. It’s a legitimate area of wagering growth.”

WEG kicked off its 2015 221-date campaign this past Saturday evening at Woodbine and will offer four nights of racing all winter on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.