Northlands Park Meet Ends With Handle Gains
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The 2014 Thoroughbred season at Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino concluded Oct. 25 with wagering increasing across the board.
The average daily on-track handle was up 11.3% ($85,742) over last year and all-sources handle increased by 19.5% ($274,940) over the corresponding numbers in 2013. In addition, the 73-day meet saw export sales increase by 27.1% ($158,795).
"This is our best race meet in many years and we're excited by the continued momentum," said Tim Reid, president and CEO of Northlands. "On behalf of the entire Northlands family, I want to express my appreciation to our tremendous horse people and most importantly to the loyal fans that are the lifeblood of this business."
This year's leading jockey award went to Rico Walcott with 141 wins, 71 victories ahead of his closest competitor, Scott Williams.
The leading trainer award was presented to Greg Tracy with 92 wins, 49 victories ahead Tim Rycroft.
On Aug. 16, Walcott rode Edison to victory in the 85th running of the Canadian Derby (gr. III). The win marked consecutive Canadian Derby wins for the rider following last year's win on Broadway Empire. Trainer Robertino Diodoro and owners Fouad El Kardy, Bob Butz, and Rick Running Rabbit watched as Edison, from several of same connections as last year's winner Broadway Empire won at 5-2 odds.
The last six editions of the Canadian Derby have broken the $1 million wagering mark. This year, wagering reached $1,257,544.