Mohawk Million slots

[Stan durbread]

Anyone know who the Northover’s are?  I didn’t recognize that name

[Grandstand Handicapper]

The Northover's are owners/partners of Murray Brethour.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

From Andrew Cohen's column, in the Paulick Report:

"Good for the Standardbred community for stepping up for a chance at a slot in the 2025 Mohawk Million race. The winning bidders earn a place in the big Ontario harness race and can race their own horse or trade their slots with someone who wants in on the action. There were 37 applicants this year – an astonishing figure given where the race stood just a few years ago. It’s a good example of an innovation in harness racing that has worked well. The Mohawk Million is a trotting race. Someone in the U.S. should do the pacing equivalent – someone like Keeping Pace sponsor Jeff Gural and The Meadowlands Racetrack. I will keep you posted."

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I don't think the Meadowlands, or Woodbine/Mohawk publishes their live attendance figures on the website. Regardless, this idea has worked IMO. The first year they had to hustle spots. Now they get 37 people for 10 slots. All things considered, not bad at all. This is a good idea-----get sponsorship, create some interested, and get some big owners to buy into the concept-----and ready for this, why not try it for 3yo's and up, or 4yo's and up? Maybe, eventually, you might get both.

[mwins]

The reason for the increased interest is that they changed the format. Spots are now $50k, not $100k.
The track is actually contributing to the purse now.

[gh2009]

I don't think the Meadowlands, or Woodbine/Mohawk publishes their live attendance figures on the website. Regardless, this idea has worked IMO. The first year they had to hustle spots. Now they get 37 people for 10 slots. All things considered, not bad at all. This is a good idea-----get sponsorship, create some interested, and get some big owners to buy into the concept-----and ready for this, why not try it for 3yo's and up, or 4yo's and up? Maybe, eventually, you might get both.

It would be impossible to get an accurate attendance for Meadowlands because of the sportsbook. As for having the concept for 3-year-olds, I doubt it would happen since there are already several big stake races for them. As for 4 year olds, most of the better 3-year-olds are retiring after their 3-year-old season so you probably wouldn't get that strong of a field, but who knows?