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Still Awaiting Green Light From Government, Woodbine Targets June 5 For Opening Day

While the Ontario government has yet to lift the COVID-19 stay-at-home order issued on April 8, officials at Woodbine have begun to take the necessary steps to kick off their 2021 live race meeting, targeting June 5 as its anticipated opening day. The 2020 meet began on June 6 after being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The meet was scheduled to begin on April 17 but was delayed due to a spike in COVID-19 cases and the government's lockdown order that shut down virtually all indoor and outdoor activities. The shutdown affected racing, even though Woodbine operated safely in 2020 without fans by enforcing strict COVID-19 protocols. Morning training has continued this spring with essential personnel taking care of the horses stabled at Woodbine. The same personnel would make up the bulk of individuals needed to race in the afternoon.

Operating under the assumption that restrictions will be eased in late May or early June as COVID-19 vaccinations rise and new cases decline, preparations for the opening of live racing are under way to help trainers have their horses and staff ready to go. As such, the first condition book and a revised stakes schedule will be released by Woodbine's racing office on Saturday, May 15.

Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson, in a message to horse people, said that, while the company has no assurances from government for a June 5 opening, officials “continue to have positive discussions with the public health authorities” and have requested meetings with the Ministry of Health and Premier's Office.

Track officials now estimate that 75% of essential frontline horse people have received at least their first vaccination dose, with many workers taking advance of a Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic at Woodbine last weekend. They are hoping to be close to 100% by May 31.

“As I have mentioned to media and government officials, I am growing tired of offering hope,” Lawson wrote in his message to horse people. “I would like nothing more than to provide you with the certainty you require and deserve. However, right now we need to remain patient while knowing that we continue to do everything we can to resume live racing in Ontario as soon as possible.”

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Woodbine Urges Workforce To Schedule COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Government of Ontario has now moved to Phase 2 of its COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan which provides eligibility to essential frontline workers who cannot work from home, which includes agriculture and farm workers.

Moreover, the vaccination plan is also now prioritizing residents living in hot spots, which includes Woodbine Racetrack. To see if you live in a hot spot, please click here.

We encourage everyone to please educate yourself on the vaccines and the vaccination roll-out plan. By booking an appointment to become vaccinated now, you protect yourself, your family, our horse people communities, and our collective ability to conduct live racing without further interruptions due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

Once live racing resumes, continuing to race without further interruptions is dependent on limiting any spread of the virus throughout our industry. Whether in horse racing or other industries, vaccines are an important safety measure to further protect yourself and others from COVID-19. As mentioned on the Government of Ontario's website, “When a large percentage of the population becomes immune to COVID-19, the spread of the virus will slow down or stop.”

Horse people and racetracks throughout Ontario did a tremendous job of minimizing the on-site spread of COVID-19 in 2020. Together, with the aid of vaccines and by continuing to follow all safety measures, 2021 can be even safer so so horse people can continue to do what they love.

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No Reversal By Ontario Government; Woodbine Meet Officially Over

Woodbine Entertainment provided the following update on the 2020 Thoroughbred meet:

Despite efforts to gain approval from the government of Ontario to safely complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, we have made the decision to officially cancel the remainder of the season.

“While I am extremely disappointed we are not able to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, what we achieved this year in face of significant adversity is quite remarkable,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “I have been around horse racing my entire life and I can proudly say that I have never seen the industry come together as it did throughout this year.

“Together, we were able to develop, implement and follow strict COVID-19 Prevention Protocols that allowed us to be the first sport to return to competition in Canada since the shutdowns in March,” said Lawson. “We safely resumed racing in early June and ran almost 100 racing cards, more than 900 races, and the majority of our stakes schedule, including the 161^st running of The Queen's Plate.

“We hope the government of Ontario has gained a better understanding of our business and appreciation of our safety record in operating live racing without spectators.”

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Woodbine Officials Set Thursday 6 P.M. Deadline For Government Talks On Racing Resumption

Woodbine Entertainment provided the following update on the 2020 Thoroughbred meet:

We are continuing our efforts to gain approval from the Government of Ontario to safely complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet.

Based on the timing of these ongoing efforts, live racing on Saturday, November 28, has been cancelled.

Should Government permit us to safely resume live racing, Sunday, November 29, would be the earliest date. The Race Office would open on Friday, November 27 at 6 a.m. for entries.

Furthermore, if Woodbine Entertainment is permitted to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, it will endeavor to reschedule the cancelled races.

Woodbine Entertainment has committed to make a final decision on the status of the season by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 26. We sincerely appreciate the patience from our community.

As per the Grey (Lockdown) phase of the Government's COVID-19 restrictions which went into effect on Monday, November 23, at 12:01 a.m., the stabling and training of horses is permitted at Woodbine Racetrack, but live horse racing is not.

Since being permitted to race without spectators in early June, Woodbine Entertainment has demonstrated that live racing poses no greater health risk to participants than training. Furthermore, it believes it has clearly demonstrated an ability to safely operate live racing without spectators during that time.

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