Tag: People

Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors has announced the unanimous appointment of sports and business leader Michael Copeland as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2023.

Copeland, who is currently President, Commercial, joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 after holding various leadership roles in sports and entertainment, including President and CEO of the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Toronto Argonauts from 2015 to 2018, and President of the CFL's head office from 2006 to 2015. He has a law degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Western's Ivey School of Business. He is a recipient of the prestigious Caldwell Partners/Globe & Mail “Canada's Top 40 Under 40” Award, and the Western Law W. Iain Scott Business Leadership Award.

Copeland will take the reins from current CEO Jim Lawson who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down from his post this fall.

“We are thrilled to have a business leader of Michael's calibre to take on this role and lead our organization during a transformative time that is full of opportunity for Woodbine and the horse racing industry,” said Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors.

Woodbine Entertainment is one of North America's leading Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetrack operators. In 2022, it generated over $1 Billion in gross wagering revenues from both physical and online channels. It operates best-in-class racing facilities at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario and Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario and is an established broadcast and technology leader. Woodbine directly employs more than 1,500 individuals in Ontario and leads the sustainability and growth of the entire Ontario racing industry and the roughly 25,000 jobs within it. Woodbine is currently building a major urban community for all of Toronto on the 684-acre site that includes Woodbine Racetrack. This will be reimagined as vibrant, new spaces with housing, parks, employment districts and retail, along with upgraded horse racing facilities.

“We are one of the best multi-faceted sports and entertainment companies in North America, and we have tremendous potential to further develop and grow with horse racing at the centre of it all,” said Copeland. “With this role comes great responsibility as it supports a way of life for tens of thousands of families in Ontario as it did for my wife's family for decades. I am excited about the opportunity we have to lead Woodbine and racing in Ontario to ambitious, new heights.”

Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors also announced the appointment of Jim Lawson to Executive Chair, creating continuity as the organization prepares for transformative growth in the coming years.

“We are equally as excited to continue to have Jim's leadership, experience and valued relationships as Executive Chair,” said Mitchell. “The continuity this provides will bode well for us as we embark on this next chapter of our storied history.”

“I have worked with Michael for many years, and I am truly excited for the strategic thinking and bold vision he will bring as CEO,” said Lawson. “I am also looking forward to contributing to Woodbine and the racing industry and supporting Michael in my new role as Executive Chair. Woodbine has accomplished many great things over the past decade, but the best is yet to come.”

As part of the transition and to support Copeland in his new role, it was also announced that long-time horse racing industry executive Bill Ford will assume the role of Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel. Ford has been an executive at Woodbine Entertainment since 2011 and prior to then he was General Counsel and Secretary for Magna Entertainment (a predecessor of The Stronach Group) from 2003 to 2010. During his 20 years in racing, Ford has sat on various boards and committees, including the Board of Directors for Racetracks Canada, the industry association representing all horse racing tracks in the country, from 2013 to 2022, including as Chair for the last five years.

“Bill brings deep knowledge and a lifelong passion for the sport of racing. With his experienced, steady hand overseeing our racing operations, we are very well-positioned to further strengthen our racing product and the Ontario racing industry,” added Copeland.

About Woodbine Entertainment

Woodbine Entertainment is an Ontario corporation that operates without share capital with the mandate of supporting and growing the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports across the province. Woodbine Entertainment is the largest horse racing operator in Canada offering world-class horse racing at both Woodbine (Toronto) and Woodbine Mohawk Park (Milton) racetracks. Woodbine Entertainment also operates off-track wagering through its Champions teletheatre network, which includes WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan and Greenwood in the Beach area of Toronto. Remote wagering is also available to customers through HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

The post Michael Copeland Appointed CEO Of Woodbine Entertainment appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jevian Toledo and Brittany Russell continued their successful partnership by defending their titles as leading jockey and trainer as the Preakness Meet at historic Pimlico Race Course drew to a close Sunday.

Toledo went winless with his two mounts Sunday, finishing with a comfortable 10-win margin over co-runners-up Sheldon Russell, Horacio Karamanos, and Victor Carrasco, 19-9. Both Toledo and Sheldon Russell are represented by agent Marty Leonard.

The 28-year-old Toledo earned eight of his wins, along with one second and three thirds, from 19 mounts for Brittany Russell at the 15-day Preakness Meet, which opened May 11. He ranked second with nearly $700,000 in purse earnings behind only Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who won the $1.65-million Preakness Stakes (G1) with National Treasure.

“It feels great. I'm just blessed that God gave me the good health to be here,” Toledo said. “My agent does a great job and big thanks to all the trainers and owners that give the opportunity to ride their horses. I really appreciate all the help that I've been given this meet.”

Toledo registered at least one win on each of the first eight racing days during the meet including a triple May 18. He doubled on Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day May 19 aboard Russell-trained horses Royal Whisper and S. Muffin, and also rode Be Better to victory for Russell and owner Repole Stable on Preakness Day, May 20.

Overall, Toledo won on (12) of 15 race days including another hat trick June 3 and doubles May 27 and 29. The state's overall leading rider in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022 approaching 1,500 career wins, he now owns 11 individual riding titles in Maryland, nine coming at Laurel Park.

“Every horse is special, even the ones when you don't win. They try hard and do their best for you,” Toledo said. “Depending on how our business goes we try to be everywhere and ride as many horses as we can.”

Russell, 33, did not have a starter on Sunday and ended with 15 wins from 42 starters (36 percent) and $592,630 in purse earnings, second to Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, largely thanks to his record eighth Preakness victory. Michael Trombetta and Hugh McMahon each won Sunday to tie them with Anthony Farrior as runners-up with five wins.

It is the fourth training title for Russell, who led Laurel's 2022 spring and fall stands and tied for first at last year's Preakness Meet. She got off to a fast start with wins on each of the first seven race days including triples May 14 and 19.

“It's great. You do it once, and you hope you can do it again,” Russell said. “It's awesome but my team is amazing. We have more horses now. You win and it just seems like we get more on our plate every time. Whenever it seems like we do something better it becomes more work and more horses, things like that. My team, it's just so fun to watch what they've done. Everybody on my team is just amazing.”

Along with Royal Whisper and S. Muffin, Russell's Black-Eyed Susan Day included an eye-catching allowance victory by 3-year-old Fort Warren, who is being pointed to the June 10 Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont Park. She also ran third and sixth, respectively, with L Street Lady and Bound by Destiny in the Miss Preakness (G3) and sixth with Cats Inthe Timber in the Black-Eyed Susan.

On Preakness Day Russell was second with Prince of Jericho in the Chick Lang (G3), respectively sixth and ninth with Wondrwherecraigis and Hello Hot Rod in the Maryland Sprint (G3), and third with Circling the Drain in the James W. Murphy.

Russell owns 310 career wins since 2018 including her first Grade 1 with Doppelganger in the April 8 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct with Toledo aboard. Doppelganger is scheduled to make his next start in the June 10 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont. Russell leads all trainers in Maryland this year with 52 wins from 192 starters (27 percent).

“I'm just really proud, it's that simple,” Russell said. “This is a tough game. Day to day we don't know where we stand. You could be on top of the world and the next day you're not. Just to see them continue on and we continue to get results, I'm just really proud of my team and grateful for everything that they've done.”

Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Group finished as the Preakness Meet's leading owner with seven wins, including Cap Com ($6.40) in Race 3 Sunday.

Aside from National Treasure, who gave Velazquez his first career Preakness win, other highlights of the Preakness Meet included Taxed's 11-1 upset of the Black-Eyed Susan for her first stakes win; Rattle N Roll's thrilling triumph in the historic Pimlico Special (G3); and a pair of course-record victories – Never Explain in the Dinner Party (G3), going 1 1/8 miles on the grass in 1:46.14; and Nagirroc in the James W. Murphy, covering one mile on the turf in 1:33.11.

Straight No Chaser won the six-furlong Chick Lang (G3) in a stakes-record time of 1:08.27. All three record performances came on the undercard of the 148th Preakness Stakes.

Live racing moves to Laurel Park Friday, June 9 for its 10-day summer meet that runs through Friday, June 30.

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Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. reached a career milestone on Saturday when winning his 2,000th race aboard Mitico for owner- trainer Paula Capestro.

Valdivia and Mitico were dispatched as the 2-1 second choice in Saturday's sixth race, a six-furlong dirt sprint for $20,000 claimers who have not won three races. Valdivia and Mitico, a 4-year-old Dailed In ridgling. pressed the pace in third before surging to the front at the top of the stretch and kicking clear to win by 2¼ lengths. Mitico returned $6.80 for the win.

Valdivia, a 49-year-old native of Peru, was beaming in the winner's circle after the race.

“I'm on cloud nine,” Valdivia said before thanking his wife and family. He also noted his long relationship with Capestro, who he has ridden for since an apprentice.

“She has been riding me since I had the bug. I'm so happy she made it out here and I'm wearing her colors,” Valdivia said.

Valdivia won his first race at Belmont Park on July 10, 1994. In the second half of the last decade, Valdivia was the dominant force at Arlington Park near Chicago. He won four straight riding titles there from 2016-19.

The most notable of Valdivia's 2,000 wins were the 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) aboard Santa Anita-based Val Royal for trainer Julio Canani and the 2011 Belmont Stakes (G1) with Ruler On Ice for trainer Kelly Breen.

Following his run of success at Arlington Park, Valdivia began riding regularly again at Santa Anita during the 2019-2020 winter-spring season. His win Saturday was his third from 23 mounts at the Hollywood Meet.

“Belmont Park is where I started riding and I had some of my bigger wins, but I have always considered Santa Anita home,” said Valdivia, who is the nephew of recently inducted Hall of Fame jockey Fernando Toro. “I don't think there's a more majestic racetrack in the world than this. It is extra special.”

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Three days after running a good third in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks, The Alys Look found herself in a new home with a new trainer. No longer was she a part of the powerhouse Brad Cox stable.

Instead, in the aftermath of the Kentucky Oaks, owners Ike and Dawn Thrash transferred The Alys Look and seven other horses from Cox to relative newcomer Christopher Davis. On Saturday, the 34-year-old Davis will saddle his first starter at Santa Anita when The Alys Look goes in the G2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles. She is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line.

“These are the opportunities you work for,” said Davis, who hails from a racing background. His mother is the longtime Chicagoland trainer Liane P. Davis and father is racetrack veteran Herschel Davis.

The Alys Look, who was 30-1 when beaten just 2 ¾ lengths by Pretty Mischievous in the Kentucky Oaks, will break from the rail under Hall of Famer Mike Smith on Saturday.

“Brad did a fantastic job with her. She's very sound, a big rangy two-turn horse,” Davis said. “She's extremely classy, nothing seems to faze her. She has handled shipping cross country just fine.”

The Alys Look arrived at Santa Anita a week ago Wednesday, May 24. She has not had a work locally. Her last drill was May 19 at Keeneland when going four furlongs in 48.80 seconds. Instead of a timed workout at Santa Anita, Davis has given The Alys Look a series of mile and one half gallops to prepare.

“Obviously she ran hard going a mile-and-an-eighth in the Kentucky Oaks,” Davis said.

“She's a big filly, but not a heavy filly. I liked what I saw with her last work. She's fit. I just wanted to get her fresh as possible so she isn't dull. It seems like she handled the surface and track here just fine.”

By Connect, The Alys Look is proving to be a consistent filly for the Thrashes. Prior to the Kentucky Oaks, she won the Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds Jan. 21 and was third in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks March 25. She has not missed the board since earning her diploma at Fair Grounds Dec. 1.

“Se seems to always run her race,” Davis said.

The decision to ship West for the Summertime was based on a number of factors, he added.

“There really aren't any Grade 2's back east until later in the summer. We'd like to win a graded stakes with her and timing wise this set up good for our plan,” Davis said. “We also wanted to dodge some of the heavy heads out there that are going to the Grade I Acorn at Belmont Park.”

Davis said his history with the Thrashes dates back to his time as an assistant for trainer Michael Stidham. They approached him “a few months ago” asking how many horses he had and if he'd be willing to take more.

“I said absolutely,” Davis said.

After starting with two horses in October 2016, Davis now has about 30 under his care at his Keeneland base. In addition to The Alys Look, the Thrashes also sent him four 2-year-olds and three other horses.

“It's been a grind,” Davis said of his young training career. “This is a very competitive business to get started in, especially when you are a little younger. You just have to work hard and eventually get lucky. Hope for an opportunity. Kind of like this one, where somebody takes a chance on you.”

Davis's last stint as an assistant was at Santa Anita with trainer Phil D'Amato, who he said played a key a role in giving him his start.

“Phil asked me if I want to go out on my own. He said he had a guy with a couple of horses to get me started if I wanted to go back to the Midwest,” Davis said. “I thought about it for a while, figured it would be a good fit, so I jumped at it.”

Davis's first win came Nov. 27 2016 at Fair Grounds with the Irish-bred Uncork the York. He now has 146 wins to his credit. Davis's lone graded stakes triumph came in the 2021 G3 Modesty Stakes at Arlington Park with Naval Laughter.

“Hopefully we'll get another one Saturday,” Davis said. “I think she stacks up well, at least numbers wise. You never know until they actually run against each other obviously.”

The Summertime goes as the eighth race on Saturday's nine-race card. Post time is scheduled for 4:44 p.m. The field in post position order:

1. The Alys Look, Mike Smith (5-2);
2. Window Shopping, Hector Berrios (5-1);
3. And Tell Me Nolies, Ramon Vazquez (4-1);
4. Lily Poo, Umberto Rispoli (8-1);
5. Doinitthehardway, Juan Hernandez (3-1);
6. Ancient Peace, Tiago Pereira (8-1);
7. Anywho, Joe Bravo (3-1).

The post ‘These Are The Opportunities You Work For’: Chris Davis Grateful For Opportunity With Oaks Third The Alys Look appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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