Woodbine All-Sources Handle Second-Largest in History

Woodbine Entertainment announced Dec. 18 that the 2019 Thoroughbred meet produced an all-sources handle of $516,189,880.80—the second-largest in its history and the third consecutive year the Ontario track exceeded half a billion dollars.

The 131-day (with two cancellations) meet included 1,212 races, 45 fewer than last year, which contributed to the all-sources handle being down 3.2% compared to 2018. Average field size per race was also a contributing factor; it was 8.2 in 2019 compared to 8.3 last year.

International wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing continues to be strong, generating a handle of $402,370,379.28.

Home market area wagering, defined as all wagering in Ontario on live Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine, was $92,472,151.36.

Average handle per race in 2019 was $425,898.86, compared to $424,239.38 in 2018, a slight increase of 0.4%.

Woodbine's handle during the test period of Oct. 18 to Dec. 15 for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario rule that limits jockeys urging Thoroughbreds to underhand use of the crop only was not negatively impacted. In fact, average handle per race during the test period increased.

Other highlights of the 2019 Thoroughbred meet include The Queen's Plate, which generated a record handle of $18,005,973.60, up 23% compared to the 2018 edition.

Woodbine also opened a new inner turf course this year. Including the E.P. Taylor course, Woodbine held a record 363 turf races for a total handle of $153,726,252.63. The average field size for turf races was 8.5.

"It was an extremely busy year for Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine, and we are very proud of our accomplishments," said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "However, we are experiencing challenges in horse supply and home market area wagering. We look forward to continuing our collaborative approach in working with our stakeholders to focus on addressing those challenges and growing horse racing for a sustainable future for decades to come."

Jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva put the finishing touches on his distinguished career during Woodbine's 16-race season finale Sunday, adding one more stakes win and a sixth meet title to his achievements.

In a fitting final stakes ride, da Silva guided defending champion Pumpkin Rumble to a 5 1/4-length score in the CA$128,700 (US$97,724) Valedictory Stakes (G3).

The 8-year-old English Channel  gelding completed the 1 3/4-mile marathon in 2:57.67 for trainer Kevin Attard and owners Al and Bill Ulwelling.

"For you to be successful, you need to hang around people like Kevin," da Silva said. "I've been very lucky to ride for all these great trainers, great horse people, great owners, and when you are together with them, all you are doing is winning."

Da Silva concluded with one final statement: "Good luck to everybody!"

Attard said Pumpkin Rumble, an 11-time winner who got a late start to the 2019 season, will head south to race in Florida this winter.

Da Silva, who first won the Woodbine jockey title in 2010, led all jockeys for the fifth straight year, winning 182 races at the 2019 meet. He recorded 19 stakes wins in his final Woodbine season and topped the standings for earnings, with his mounts banking more than US$7.4 million. He finished the season with an 18-win lead over Rafael Hernandez. Kazushi Kimura rounded out the top three with 146 victories.

Norm McKnight took the trainer title for the third consecutive year. His stable sent out 103 winners during the 2019 meet, which ran from April 20 to Dec. 15. Canadian Hall of Fame conditioner Mark Casse, who won 92 races, was the leading money-earner, amassing more than US$5.1 million in purses. Martin Drexler edged Kevin Attard for third-place in the win column (63-61).

Chiefswood Stables was the leading money-winning owner of the meet with more than US$1.7 million in purses and, with 28 wins, was runner-up to Bruno Schickedanz, who topped the standings with 54 victories.

Woodbine's 2020 Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to begin April 18.