Tag: Jim Lawson

Foreign Gains, Average Field Size Of 9 Starters Push Woodbine To Third-Highest Season Handle

Woodbine Entertainment today announced the 2021 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $505,348,339, the third highest season total in Woodbine Thoroughbred history.

For the second consecutive season, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortened season, as the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet did not begin until June 12. Originally scheduled for 133 race dates, the 2021 season included 99 race days, three more than last year, and 946 races contested.

Despite the delayed start, the 2021 season topped $500 million in all-sources handle, propelled mightily by Woodbine's highest single-season foreign wagering handle ever of $420,666,755.

The strong foreign numbers can be attributed to enticing and consistent field sizes, as Woodbine averaged 9.0 starters per-race to rank as one of North America's leading racetracks in the category.

“Growing and strengthening the Woodbine brand across North America has been a focal point of our day-to-day activities over the past several years,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “We're proud of our success in this area, as it's evident these efforts continue to raise the profile of our world-class racing product at Woodbine.

“Although our gains in the US are considerable, we're intently focused on revitalizing wagering in our home market area for 2022. Through evolving restrictions, we now have our racetracks and off-track locations operating, while also sporting our largest number of HPIbet users ever. Our task now is to leverage all options available in 2022 to push this area towards sustainability.”

The impressive average field size of 9.0 helped push a 4.8 per cent increase in average per-race handle, which came in at $534,194 for 2021.

“Our racing team did a great job in creating appealing and competitive races throughout the entire season,” said Lawson. “The support of the owners and trainers through these hard times deserves recognition and our commitment to providing the best overall experience to those racing at Woodbine will only heighten in 2022.”

Key Highlights of 2021:

The 2022 Woodbine Thoroughbred season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 16. A total of 133 race-dates are on the schedule, headlined by the 163rd running of The Queen's Plate on Sunday, August 21.

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Queen’s Plate 2022 To Remain In Late August At Woodbine

Woodbine Entertainment today announced the 163rd running of the $1 million Queen's Plate, first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.

Contested annually to showcase Canada's finest 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, The Queen's Plate is one of the country's premier sporting events and North America's oldest continuously run stakes race.

Following a successful 162nd running in August 2021, The Queen's Plate will remain in a late-August position for the 2022 racing season at Woodbine. The most recent edition of the prestigious race generated the second highest wagering handle in event history and saw Safe Conduct defeat a dozen rivals to capture the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

“We're excited about the prospects of another tremendous running of The Queen's Plate in August 2022,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “The new date was very successful, as evident by the wagering numbers and the large competitive field that provided a thrilling race from start to finish.

“Welcoming fans to our facility for this year's Queen's Plate brought an electric feeling back to Woodbine and we have our eyes set on producing one of Toronto's top sporting and social events for the summer of 2022.”

Ticket details for the 163rd running of The Queen's Plate will be released in the coming months.

Woodbine Entertainment also announced Wednesday the intentions to run a 133-date Thoroughbred meet next season. The 2022 racing season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 16 and conclude on Sunday, December 11.

Race dates for the 2022 season are currently being reviewed for final approval by the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Fans and racing participants can visit Woodbine.com or follow @WoodbineTB on social media for the latest news and updates regarding live racing at Woodbine Racetrack.

The post Queen’s Plate 2022 To Remain In Late August At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Canadian Hall Of Fame Jockey Hugo Dittfach, 85, Passes

Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Hugo Dittfach has died at age 85. A winner of over 4,000 races, “Hustlin' Hugo” Dittfach is remembered for his incredible work ethic and perseverance. Dittfach arrived in Canada following World War II, a refugee from East Germany that spent three-years in a Russian concentration camp in Poland.

While working at a restaurant in Calgary, Dittfach received a suggestion from a patron that he pursue horse racing due to his size. Launching his career in 1956, Dittfach was a leading rider in Western Canada before relocating to Ontario.

Dittfach would reach the pinnacle of Canadian racing in 1961, riding 20-1 longshot Blue Light to victory in the Queen's Plate, edging the world's leading race-winning jockey Johnny Longden and race-favorite Just Don't Shove in one of the closest finishes in race history.

Dittfach remained a fixture and leading rider at Woodbine, Greenwood and Fort Erie for many years, winning numerous stakes, including the Prince of Wales a record five-times. He retired from riding in 1989 to become a trainer.

“So many individuals in our racing industry, including myself, are lucky to have cherished memories of Hugo,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “Hugo was a hard-working, earnest man, that gave his all every time he got on the back of a horse. Hugo rode regularly for Jim Dandy Stable and I fondly remember his ride on Ruthie's Run to win the Princess Elizabeth Stakes in 1974.

“A true gentleman, Hugo made an incredible contribution to our sport in Ontario and will be missed by all.”

“Hustlin' Hugo” won the Sovereign Award as Canada's Outstanding Jockey in 1975, was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1983 and received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in 1991 for his contributions to the sport.

Woodbine Entertainment extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Hugo Dittfach.

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Hall of Fame Jockey Hugo Dittfach Passes Away

Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Hugo Dittfach passed away at the age of 85. A refugee from East Germany, Dittfach spent three years in a Russian concentration camp in Poland during World War II before emigrating to Canada. He began his riding career in 1956 and was a leading rider in Western Canada before relocating to Ontario.

Dittfach won the 1961 Queen's Plate aboard 20-1 longshot Blue Light. The pair just edged the world's leading race-winning jockey Johnny Longden and race-favorite Just Don't Shove in one of the closest finishes in the Classic race's history.

Dittfach remained a fixture and leading rider at Woodbine, Greenwood and Fort Erie for many years, winning numerous stakes, including the Prince of Wales S. a record five times. He retired from riding in 1989 to become a trainer.

“So many individuals in our racing industry, including myself, are lucky to have cherished memories of Hugo,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “Hugo was a hard-working, earnest man, that gave his all every time he got on the back of a horse. Hugo rode regularly for Jim Dandy Stable and I fondly remember his ride on Ruthie's Run to win the Princess Elizabeth S. in 1974.

“A true gentleman, Hugo made an incredible contribution to our sport in Ontario and will be missed by all.”

'Hustlin' Hugo won the Sovereign Award as Canada's Outstanding Jockey in 1975, was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1983 and received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in 1991 for his contributions to the sport.

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