Total all-sources handle for the 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Woodbine was $621,782,346, by a wide margin the largest single-season total in the history of the track. The previous record was $533 million set in 2018.
For the first time since 2019, Woodbine was able to hold a full season of racing. Over the course of 132 live dates, a total of 1,198 races were staged. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were delayed and interrupted to varying degrees by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We're very happy with the results of our 2022 season, our first full season in a few years,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “At the start of the pandemic, I felt that through determination and resiliency–which is the trademark of this industry–we would emerge stronger and this record all-sources handle is evidence we are on the right track.”
Woodbine officials also announced that the track took in a record $515 in foreign handle, surpassing the previous record of $420 million two years ago. The home market area was responsible for $87.2 million in handle.
An average of $519,016 was handled per race in 2022, higher than any pre-COVID season, while fields size was 8.2 runners per race, above the North American average.
“Our Racing Team did a fantastic job despite challenges in putting together competitive and sizable fields,” said Lawson. “Field size directly impacts our wagering and we're constantly looking at ways to keep our numbers healthy.”
Racing returns to the Toronto-area oval Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023. The King's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20.
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