ontario | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘This Is About To Become A Crisis’: COVID Restrictions May Affect Woodbine’s Opening Day

Opening day at Woodbine Racecourse is scheduled for April 17, 2021. However, the Thoroughbred Daily News reports that the Ontario track is currently designated a coronavirus “Grey Zone,” where racing is among the activities that is not allowed. This is the same restriction that forced the track to close two weeks early at the end of 2020.

“I am very concerned and this is about to become a crisis for us,” Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson told the TDN. “It's a crisis because soon there will be 2,000 people back there looking after these horses. If these people lose their jobs, there's nothing else that they can do. Especially after I had heard from trainers that may not come back, I am trying to impress upon people that we are on the cusp of a very big problem that could do irreparable damage to us as a business. We will need some answers very soon as to whether or not we can make an Apr. 17 opener.”

The Woodbine backstretch is open and horses are able to train; it is the afternoon racing which is currently restricted by the provincial government.

“We have made the argument all along that this is an outdoor activity and we wouldn't be allowing spectators,” Lawson said. “Our risk profile in the afternoon is the same as our risk profile in the morning. We should be able to run.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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Prime Attraction To Stand At Horsepower Racing Stable In Ontario

Prime Attraction, a Grade 3-winning son of the highly-regarded sire Unbridled's Song, will stand his inaugural season at stud at Horsepower Racing Stable, near Shelburne, Ontario.

The 8-year-old will stand as a registered Ontario sire for an advertised fee of $2,500 Canadian.

Prime Attraction had a long and stellar racing career, highlighted by a win in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. He also placed four times in Grade 2 races, and he finished third in the G1 Pacific Classic.

He made 23 career starts, earning $557,795, and he finished his career by competing in 17 consecutive stakes races, 16 of which were graded.

Unbridled's Song was North America's leading general sire of 2017. Among his many notable offspring, Unbridled's Song sired Grade 1 winners and prominent stallions Arrogate, Midshipman and Liam's Map. His progeny won 730 races and nearly $90 million.

Prime Attraction's first dam, Strawberry Sense, is a half-sister to champion Vindication, Grade 3 winner Scipion, and Grade 2-placed Blackberry Road. Strawberry Sense produced Grade 1-placed stakes winner Kathy's Song and Express Route, who sold to Godolphin for $975,000.

“Prime Attraction is big, attractive, and well-bred,” said Tim Orlando of Silver Fox Stallions. “He had a stellar career. He has no inbreeding in his first five generations and is free of Northern Dancer. He's an excellent option for Ontario breeders, and at $2,500, he represents outstanding value for money. He is available for inspection by appointment. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to stand such a remarkable horse in Ontario.”

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Woodbine to Host 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (CTHS), Ontario Racing Management (ORM) and Woodbine Entertainment have reached an agreement which includes the CTHS forming an industry relations sub-committee of its Board of Directors.

This new CTHS Industry Relations Sub-Committee (IRSC), will include representation from the CTHS, ORM and Woodbine with a mandate to work together for the betterment of the entire industry. Initial members of IRSC include Peter Berringer (President (Ont) and National Vice President, CTHS), members of the CTHS Board of Directors, Tom Via (Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment) and Jonathan Zammit (Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management).

As part of the agreement, the CTHS will be provided administrative office space that has been relocated to the paddock at the west-end of Woodbine Racetrack. The 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale will be held in the Sales Pavilion on the Woodbine Backstretch (subject to the latest government restrictions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic) later this year.

The post Woodbine to Host 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Woodbine Issues Statement on Sports Betting

Woodbine Entertainment issued the following statement Thursday:

In response to the Federal Government introducing a Bill that proposes to legalize single event sports wagering in Canada, Woodbine Entertainment would like to congratulate the Government of Canada for considering the potential impacts to the horse racing industry.

While the proposed Bill to Amend the Criminal Code would permit single event sports betting on most sports, Woodbine Entertainment is pleased that under the new proposed legislation, fixed odds wagering will not be permitted on horse racing.

“On behalf of the entire horse racing industry and the more than 50,000 jobs it represents throughout Canada, I would like to congratulate the Government of Canada and Minister Lametti for clearly considering the interests of horse racing as related to the potential legalization of single event sports wagering,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.

“We look forward to continuing to represent the views of the horse racing industry throughout the legislative process in the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada to ensure that our role continues to be supported and strengthened where possible,” said Lawson. “This includes collaborating with the Federal and Provincial Government in future discussions regarding the impacts sports betting may have on horse racing while looking to enhance opportunities that would benefit the industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs.”

Woodbine Entertainment also offered its support for the legalization of fixed odds single event sports betting so long as it is provided an opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way.

“For many decades, Woodbine Entertainment has legally operated single event wagering through a pari-mutuel model, earning the trust of bettors and government agencies, while developing safe and secure technologies that could also benefit single event sports wagering,” said Lawson. “Throughout our future discussions with government authorities, we look forward to demonstrating how we can play a meaningful role in the execution of the legalization of sports betting that leverages our industry-leading experience and technology in single event wagering, while also offering a solution that would ensure any profits derived from sports betting remain in our economy.”

Operating without share capital, Woodbine Entertainment’s sole mission as an organization is to sustain the Ontario horse racing industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports.

The post Woodbine Issues Statement on Sports Betting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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