Woodbine Increases its Handle Again in 2010

[Alan07]

For the second consecutive year, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) is announcing a sharp increase in betting handle on its live Thoroughbred racing season.

The 167-day meet, which concluded December 5, saw an "all-sources" total of $393,507,233 wagered, a stunning 8.9 per cent overall rise from the $361,435,208 figure recorded from the 167 dates offered last year.

It comes after a solid 7.0 percent hike in handle seen in 2009 over 2008.

"We are pleased with the sustained gains in handle," said Sean Pinsonneault, WEG's Chief Operating Officer. "To see a seven per cent rise in 2009 and an 8.9 per cent jump this year against the softness in the betting marketplace is significant."

http://www.woodbineentertainment.com...d-cdb1707da33c

[randallscott35]

Tar sands are great business.

[richard]

Good Management is the key to any successful enterprise .

[Scav]

Um, this has alot to do with Vegas finally taking their broadcast, this was the first year you could bet Woodbine out there.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Scav

Um, this has alot to do with Vegas finally taking their broadcast, this was the first year you could bet Woodbine out there.

I assume every track can give a breakdown from where their handle is coming from....would love to see it in this case.

[richard]

If it's a private business you won't see it . If it's a public entity you might . Does Woodbine televise in HD or 3D ?

[ateamstupid]

It's all because of TRAKUS and POLY.

[CSC]

I wasn't impressed with their product this year, not enough turf races carded, an over emphasis of keeping the portable rail up year round with the exception of big race days stunk.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Scav

Um, this has alot to do with Vegas finally taking their broadcast, this was the first year you could bet Woodbine out there.

yeah, but like someone else said....its good creative managment. making excuses and getting screwed by the state or other entities (like NY and NJ) are going through, during tough times to boot.......that ship will sink or die a slow death! i'm actually starting to think that there are forces against horse racing selling the excuses like yours.(they are doing better because of A or B) who cares????....they are doing GOOD business $$$$$....instead of crying, try to emulate what a winner does. we USED to be the CAN DO people... if i said this in Ny too loud they might commit me......we actually had an assh6le up here walk out when it was time to vote. i don't even care which side he took, this spineless loser walked away!!!! this is the age we live under people!...they always sell US (the people) a sob story...please don't buy into it. i commend them for doing well.....why can't things get MANAGED right here?????? thats what people should be asking and LOUDLY!

[Scav]

Originally Posted by johnny pinwheel

yeah, but like someone else said....its good creative managment. making excuses and getting screwed by the state or other entities (like NY and NJ) are going through, during tough times to boot.......that ship will sink or die a slow death! i'm actually starting to think that there are forces against horse racing selling the excuses like yours.(they are doing better because of A or B) who cares????....they are doing GOOD business $$$$$....instead of crying, try to emulate what a winner does. if i said this in Ny too loud they might commit me......we actually had an assh6le up here walk out when it was time to vote. i don't even care which side he took, this spineless loser walked away!!!!...they always sell US (the people) a sob story...please don't buy into it. i commend them for doing well.....why can't things get MANAGED right here??????

Um, I don't think they gave that as the reason why they did it, I just know that for the first time evah, you were allowed to bet Woodbine (TB and Jughead) in Vegas, which is obviously a heavy market when it comes to horse wagering.

Its common sense that this is a valid reason for the increase

[richard]

What's the reason for the 7% hike in 2009 handle over 2008 ? No Vegas factor there .

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by richard

What's the reason for the 7% hike in 2009 handle over 2008 ? No Vegas factor there .

TVG

[Scav]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

TVG

stop making sense

[pmayjr]

What about the fact that their field sizes and the depth within their fields were solid. Whether it was one of their crappy 10kN2L claiming races or a high level allowance. They had an ass-ton of nice, deep bettable races.

[pmayjr]

And was it just me, or were they put in the AM DRF a lot more than in past years?

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Rare Bog

Woodbine was a key track in the Breeder's Cup, generating huge payouts in several races? 6 of 18 in the money for 33% including two winners generating a flat bet profit on both win, place, and show wagers. Also, perhaps more pointedly to your argument, 4 of these 6 finishers did so on turf. Hardly seems like the product was poor....

Breeders' Cup Marathon (Gr. III), $500,000 1 3/4 miles
1. 4-Eldaafer $23.20, $12.00, $7.00
2.6-Gabriel's Hill $25.40 $13.20
3.12-Au Minor $5.20

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Gr. II); $1M; 1 mile (T)
1.11-More Than Real $29.20, $9.20, $5.80
2. 7-Winter Memories $3.60, $2.60
3. 4-Kathmanblu $3.60

Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Gr.I); $2M; 1 1/16 miles
1. 4-Awesome Feather $10.40, $5.40, $4.00
2. 3-R Heat Lightning $6.20, $4.20
3. 9-Delightful Mary $7.60

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr.II); $1M; 1 mile (T)
1. 13-Pluck $14.80, $6.60, $5.00
2. 9-Soldat $5.20, $4.00
3. 7-Willcox Inn $8.80

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Gr. II); $1M; 5 furlongs (T)
1. 1-Chamberlain Bridge $15.80, $8.20, $5.60
2. 2-Central City $9.80, $7.80
3. 4-Unzip Me $7.00

TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr.I); $2M; 1 mile (T)
1. 10-Goldikova $4.60, $3.20, $2.40
2. 3-Gio Ponti $4.00, $3.20
3. 7-The Usual Q.T. $6.60

Biofuel, Fatal Bullet, Ventura, Sealy Hill also in previous years. I hear your point Rare Bog, I only wish they carded more turf races. This is one area Saratoga and Belmont really get it right. It's a peeve of mine why they keep that portable rail up all year round saving the inner lanes for only 2 or 3 race days. Quite puzzling to have such wonderful turf course and not use it to it's full potential, that's all I am saying.

[odbaxter]

I live here in Toronto and there is a serious, hard core marketing push in the last 2 years going on. I'm not sure who is in charge of this change but he/she is heading for a major promotion. Lots of Television adds in Primetime across all major networks. Print adds in all the Daily Newspapers, combined with an almost cornered slot machine market in a city of almost 3 million. I see another 8-10% in 2011.

We need more grass racing. No doubt!

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It's all because of TRAKUS and POLY.

Don't be BITTER, Joey.

Just because some people (well, actually, MANY, given the increase in handle the past two years) appreciate accurate data and a well run operation, including the best stewards in the game, it doesn't mean that the NYRA/DRF/BEYER crew does.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by odbaxter

I live here in Toronto and there is a serious, hard core marketing push in the last 2 years going on. I'm not sure who is in charge of this change but he/she is heading for a major promotion. Lots of Television adds in Primetime across all major networks. Print adds in all the Daily Newspapers, combined with an almost cornered slot machine market in a city of almost 3 million. I see another 8-10% in 2011.

We need more grass racing. No doubt!

Do you remember the old inner and marshall turf courses there? If you ask me, I thought the turf racing was better then. The misconception about the new course is it favours closers, but in actuality front runners do well on the new course.

[odbaxter]

I started watching after the track was reconfigured. I find that it plays friendly to front runners as well. They tend to be way over protective of the turf and during the week days seem to restrict it to 1 or 2 grass races a day, if that. With the field sizes as big as they are I would imagine that they could really boost the handle if they carded grass more aggressively.