On Saturday, December 31, 2022, Woodbine Entertainment said goodbye to another successful calendar year and an even more impressive Standardbred season. Over the weekend, the operator held its last race card for the season and the year at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The final card included a total of 10 races, including a CA$34,000 Preferred Pace.
Earlier in December, the group reported an all-sources wagering handle of more than CA$400 million. Despite not being the official number for the season, it confirmed that the track has broken its previous high of CA$364 million in 2019. It should be mentioned that the 2022 one did not suffer from postponements or cancellations like the 2020 and 2021 ones.
Last Card for 2022
Just hours before the end of the calendar year, horse racing fans were able to watch how Saulsbrook Victor secured his first Woodbine Preferred win in a 1:52 time. The four-year-old was guided to the victory by Austin Sorrie for trainer Ron MacDonald and owner Brett MacDonald. The win was the sixth one in 38 starts in the 2022 season and moved his seasonal winnings to over CA$150,000.
James MacDonald who missed out on the Saturday podium finished the season as the top reinsman as he recorded an impressive 400 wins. He became the fifth driver in the horse racing operatorās history to win 400 or more races in a single year. The last driver to reach 400 wins was his brother, Mark MacDonald who won 404 races back in 2006.
Meanwhile, trainer Richard Moreau and owner Brad Grant were once again crowned as the leaders in their respective divisions. Mr. Moreau now has seven consecutive Woodbine leading trainer titles and 11 overall in his career. Mr. Grant has also won his seventh straight Woodbine leading owner title. The two will receive their honours on Monday, January 2, 2023.
The horse racing leader informed that an additional and full breakdown in numbers of its 2022 Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will be released in early January 2023. Meanwhile, the group stated that its 2023 live racing season at the Campbellville track on Monday, January 2, 2023. Post time for the race card is set at 7 p.m.
More Important Updates from the Operator
In December 2022, Woodbine Entertainment informed that its 2022 Thoroughbred season has also entered the history books. For the calendar year, the groupās Woodbine Racetrack recorded an all-source single-season handle with CA$621,782,346. The track also continued its strong foreign market performance and saw a record-setting amount in the foreign handle of CA$515 million.
Another important update from the horse racing leader was its announcement about the rebranding of The Queenās Plate. Due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the historic Thoroughbred race will be renamed to The Kingās Plate in honour of King Charles III. The next running of the event will be held on August 20, 2023, at Woodbine Racetrack.
Source: āWoodbine Mohawk Park wraps up record 2022 seasonā Woodbine Entertainment, December 31, 2022
