Woodbine Begins Meet With Opening Day Record Handle
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Photo: Michael Burns
Horses race on the turf opening day at Woodbine
The 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet kicked off June 12 with an opening day record handle of more than $6.9 million.
With the start of the 2021 campaign delayed nearly two months due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing provincial restrictions, horseplayers were clearly eager for the return of live racing at the Toronto track, taking advantage of strong field sizes to wager a total of $6,912,477 on the season-opening 11-race card.
The $6.9 million handle broke the previous opening day handle record of $5.5 million in 2020, which was also a delayed opening day due to the pandemic.
Woodbine's extensive wagering menu saw horseplayers flood the featured multi-leg wagers on opening day. A total of $147,660 was wagered on the Early Pick 4, $160,339 on the Late Pick 4, and $128,908 on the Early Pick 5.
Saturday's eighth race, a 14-horse field in a mile, maiden allowance on the E.P. Taylor turf course, generated the largest single-race handle of the day at $1.1 million.
The average per race handle was $628,407.
Following opening weekend, which also included a 13-race card Sunday, live racing will resume Friday and continue through the weekend. The regular schedule of live racing four days a week will start on Thursday, June 24. Live racing at Woodbine is currently being conducted without spectators.