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Woodbine Announces Trio Of Initiatives To Support Backstretch Community This Winter

Woodbine Entertainment announced Friday a trio of initiatives designed to support the 130 people living on the backstretch at Woodbine Racetrack during the winter months.

First, Woodbine has partnered with the Horses First Fund, which will sponsor a nutritious, hot meal each week. The program will start on Wednesday, December 23 with a roast beef lunch then continue Fridays after that. This generous offering will be incorporated into a larger effort from Woodbine to engage backstretch workers over the course of the winter months through activities, shuttles to local malls and product giveaways.

The Horses First Fund assists Thoroughbreds and their caretakers in need of emergency aid due to large scale neglect, natural disaster, or other catastrophes.

Horses First Fund founder Jaime Roth of LNJ Foxwoods said: “I was especially moved by the misfortune caused by the pandemic on the Woodbine backstretch workers. Throughout this challenging year, the Horses First Fund has provided emergency funding to seven aftercare organizations, four backstretch organizations, and contributed to two equine feed assistance programs.”

The Horses First Fund is administered by the Thoroughbred Charities of America.

Additionally, Woodbine has reduced the rent for those living on the backstretch by 50 percent. Both the sponsored meal program and the Woodbine rent program will support workers until the reopening of the backstretch in February 2021.

Finally, in addition to its regular annual donation, Woodbine will make a $4,000 donation to the Race Track Chaplaincy of Canada to help ensure proper resources, programming and support for those remaining on the Woodbine Racetrack backstretch throughout the winter.

“This year has been tremendously difficult for so many people, including those that contribute to our world-class racing at Woodbine Racetrack,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “We know that due to circumstances beyond their control, many are unable to be with their friends and family this winter. I would like to thank our partners the Horses First Fund and the Race Track Chaplaincy of Canada, whom together with us will help ensure that everyone here at Woodbine has the support they need this holiday season and beyond.”

Earlier this month, Lawson was on-site to personally hand out holiday gifts to impacted backstretch workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for the Woodbine Thoroughbred community. Due to government restrictions, the season started late and ended early, denying the community their ability to earn money from the final three weeks of racing.

Woodbine thanks those involved in the training and care of Thoroughbred horses and wishes the entire Thoroughbred community a healthy and safe holiday season.

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Lawson: 2021 Queen’s Plate May Again Be Held In September

Due to COVID-19 delaying the start of the 2020 racing season at Woodbine, the Queen's Plate was pushed back from it's usual date in late June to Sept. 12. The race was held without fans, as was the rest of the season at the Ontario track.

Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson told canadianthoroughbred.com the track is considering scheduling the premier race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds in September once again for 2021, in the hopes that fans may be able to attend.

“I don't have any expectations that in May or June we are going to have [fans] back,” Lawson told Canadian Thoroughbred. “I could see the Plate returning to its late June, early July date [in 2022] but for 2021 it is likely we will see a late stakes schedule again.”

Read more at the Canadian Thoroughbred.

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Meet Shortened By Nearly One Third, Woodbine Handle Drops Only 10.5 Percent

Woodbine Entertainment announced Friday that the shortened 2020 Thoroughbred meet produced an all-sources handle of $462,041,545.76, down more than $50 million compared to 2019 ($516,189,419.44).

The 2020 Thoroughbred meet at Woodbine Racetrack included 96 race days as a result of starting late and finishing early. The COVID-19 pandemic postponed the start of the season from April 18 until June 6 and forced it to finish prematurely on Nov. 22, instead of Dec. 13 as scheduled. The shortened season included 35 less race days and 305 less races than in 2019.

“Like many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted our business and the entire horse racing industry in Ontario,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “However, I am very proud of how we responded and look forward to working with all of our stakeholders as we continue to manage the ongoing impacts caused by the pandemic.”

The shortened season, which had 28 percent less race dates than scheduled (133 race days were originally scheduled), was a primary contributor to a 10.5 percent decrease in all-sources handle. The closure of Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park to the public, and the closure of Woodbine Entertainment's Champions' Teletheatre Network, were also significant contributors to the decrease in handle.

“The fact that we were able to limit the decrease in handle to 10.5 percent despite losing nearly a third of our scheduled race dates speaks to the strength of our Thoroughbred racing product and our extensive efforts and focus on our wagering business in response to the pandemic,” said Lawson.

In Woodbine Entertainment's Home Market Area, wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing was $54,810,867.06, down 41 percent compared to last year. In 2019, Woodbine Racetrack contributed $28 million to the all-sources handle on Thoroughbred racing. This year, Woodbine Racetrack only contributed $124,000 to the overall handle due to being closed to the public for most of the year.

However, wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing continued to be strong in Foreign Markets, generating $391,395,974.30 in all-sources handle, which is down less than three percent, despite running 27 percent fewer race cards.

Handle per race was also strong at $509,417.36, up 19.6 percent year over year.

Field size per race was 8.9, up from 8.2 the year prior. The eight and a half percent growth in field size was believed to be a result of the postponed start.

“With the start of the season being postponed more than a month, this allowed more horses to be ready for the start of the season which resulted in increased field sizes,” said Lawson. “While any growth in field size is always encouraging, it continues to be a focus for us as it is impacting our ability to maximize our wagering handle and support the purse payments.”

Although The 161st Queen's Plate was not able to welcome spectators this year, it generated the third highest handle in its history. The 13-race card generated a total of $14,532,678, including $3,494,496 on The Queen's Plate race that saw one-eyed Mighty Heart live up to his name, defeating his 13 rivals after going off at 13-1.

“Overall, we will reflect back on this season as a year of overcoming many challenges that will only strengthen and benefit our industry moving forward,” said Lawson.

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All-Sources Handle Down for Abbreviated Woodbine Meet

All-sources handle was down more than $50 million at $462,041,545.76 compared to $516,189,419.44 in 2019 for Woodbine’s shortened 2020 Thoroughbred meet, which started late and concluded early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meet ran 96 days with the start being pushed back from Apr. 18 to June 6 and the end date moved up from Dec. 13 to Nov. 22. The abbreviated meet resulted in 35 less race days and 305 less races.

In Woodbine’s home market area, wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing was $54,810,867.06, down 41% compared to last year. In 2019, Woodbine Racetrack contributed $28 million to the all-sources handle on Thoroughbred racing. This year, Woodbine Racetrack only contributed $124,000 to the overall handle due to being closed to the public for most of the year.

However, wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing continued to be strong in foreign markets, generating $391,395,974.30 in all-sources handle, which is down less than 3%, despite running 27% fewer race cards. Handle per race was also strong at $509,417.36, up 19.6% year over year. Field size per race was 8.9, up from 8.2 the year prior.

The post All-Sources Handle Down for Abbreviated Woodbine Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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