Jim Lawson | Horse Racing Free Tips

Woodbine Teams Up With You Can Play Project

Woodbine Entertainment is partnering with the You Can Play Project (YCP) to increase the level of inclusion for everyone who participates in the sport of horse racing. This includes 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, administrators, horse people, and fans. Woodbine is the first horse racing organization in all of North America to partner with the YCP.

“This partnership is a reflection of our determination and commitment to do more to break down barriers and make our sport more inclusive,” said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. “Horse racing has a rich history throughout the world, but we see an opportunity to be more inclusive, and to be allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”

YCP works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, YCP provides support, education and outreach to ensure the 2SLGBTQ+ community is safe and welcomed in sport, and athletes and participants are judged on their skill, talent and contribution and not their sexuality or gender identity.

The partnership kicks off this June during Pride month with various initiatives planned over the next year including inclusivity training for Woodbine Entertainment staff, jockeys, drivers, trainers, and other horse racing participants. Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park will also host You Can Play themed race days in 2023 to raise awareness and 50/50 fundraising draws to support the You Can Play Project.

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Buckley Resigns From Woodbine

Woodbine's Senior Vice President of Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing Jessica Buckley resigned from her position to pursue other opportunities, according to a press release circulated on Twitter Friday. Buckley had been in that role since 2020. Prior to that, she served as President of Woodbine Mohawk Park.

“On behalf of our organization, I would like to sincerely thank Jessica for her many contributions to our business, the horse racing industry, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and both our Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing programs,” Woodbine's Jim Lawson said in the release.

Woodbine Entertainment CCO Michael Copeland will assume the role of senior leader of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.

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Portuondo Leaving Woodbine

Jason Portuondo, the longtime on-air simulcast host at Woodbine Entertainment, will be leaving the organization after the June 26 show. Portuondo, who has been with Woodbine since 2014, has accepted a role with the AGCO as a Racing Official.

“Jason has been a big part of our racing product over the years and represented our brand, our sport, and our industry with professionalism, enthusiasm, and integrity,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Although we will certainly miss Porty, it's comforting to know he will remain in our industry, and we will all continue to see him around our racetracks. On behalf of our industry and our fans, I would like to thank Jason for all of his contributions throughout his years at Woodbine and wish him good luck in his new endeavour.”

Woodbine Entertainment has started a search for an on-air simulcast host.

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Breeders Crown Returns To Woodbine’s Mohawk Park In 2022

The $6.7 million (USD) Breeders Crown, harness racing's richest and most prestigious year-end divisional championship series, returns in the last weekend of October 2022 to Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada.

Eliminations, if necessary, for freshman races will be held Friday, Oct. 21, with three-year-old and older eliminations raced Saturday, Oct. 22. Finals for two-year-olds get underway the next Friday, Oct. 28 with sophomore finals and open events following on Saturday, Oct. 29. All Breeders Crown divisions are now guaranteed at $600,000, with the exception of the Open Mare Pace and Trot which have been raised to a minimum of $350,000.

Woodbine Entertainment last hosted all 12 events in 2019, smashing handle and attendance records at the seven-eighths mile track, with $11.1M wagered over the four fall nights. The 2019 events were capped by a sensational victory in the Crown Trot by French star Bold Eagle, who retired with earnings of $5,878,322.

The 2019 Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park also initiated the successful and subsequent three-year sponsorship of the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, which was also responsible for creating and executing the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, brainchild of breeder/owner Marvin Katz, has since raised over $800,000 in three years, supporting numerous local charities in Crown host track communities.

Woodbine Entertainment has hosted more Breeders Crown events than any other venue at their tracks of Woodbine, Mohawk and Greenwood, for a total of 152.

“The Woodbine name is recognized as one of harness racing's leading brands and we are excited and proud to partner with them and bring the Breeders Crown series back to Canada,” said John Campbell, President & CEO of the Hambletonian Society, which owns and administers the races.

“Woodbine is thrilled to welcome back the Breeders Crown to Woodbine Mohawk Park this October,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “Hosting the Breeders Crown continues our commitment to a world-class racing product, and we're focused on once again producing an exceptional two-night event showcasing the very best in our sport.”

The Breeders Crown series has typically crowned champions in every division for trotters and pacers and been the deciding factor in Horse of the Year honors. A Breeders Crown title is one of the most coveted honors in harness racing.

The Hambletonian Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1924 to sponsor the race for which it was named, the Hambletonian Stake. The Society's mission is to encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration and promotion of harness racing stakes, early-closing races and other special events. For more information, visit www.hambletonian.com.

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