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Lawson: Woodbine Seeks ‘Meaningful Role’ In Sports Betting Landscape

Woodbine Entertainment in Ontario, Canada, reiterated its support for the legalization of single event sports wagering and is confident the horse racing industry, and the more than 50,000 jobs it supports across the country, will be protected.

“We continue to be very supportive of the legalization of sports betting and are confident that through the legislative process the government will protect the industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs, generates significant economic activity, and is a way of life for thousands of Canadian families,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.

In November, Woodbine Entertainment stated its support for Bill C-13, a proposed bill introduced by the federal government to legalize single event sports wagering that contemplated the potential for unintended consequences to the horse racing industry by including language to protect it. Subsequently, Private Members Bill C-218, an act to amend the Criminal Code of Conduct regarding sports betting, was voted on and passed overwhelmingly at second reading in the House of Commons on February 17.

Woodbine Entertainment is confident that Private Members Bill C-218 will also adopt language through the legislative process to protect the long-term sustainability of the horse racing industry.

“Sports betting in Canada is a significant opportunity for the Canadian economy and equally exciting for sports bettors,” Lawson added. “We remain highly focused on ensuring the horse racing industry not only is protected but has an opportunity to participate in it in a meaningful way.”

Woodbine Entertainment has legally operated single event wagering through a pari-mutuel model in a highly government-regulated industry for many decades.

“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 provincial economy,” Lawson said.

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Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet To Offer Highest Ever Overnight Purses

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer its highest ever overnight purse schedule at the upcoming 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet slated for Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, July 11.

The condition book for the Belmont spring/summer meet is available online now at https://www.nyra.com/belmont/horsemen. Hard copies of the condition book will be available in the race office next week.

“NYRA is pleased to be able to offer the highest overnight purse levels in the history of Belmont Park,” said Martin Panza, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “These increases come at an important time in support of horsemen and will drive the industry forward as we emerge from the challenges wrought by COVID-19.”

Significant increases were made across most race categories which will see horsemen at the Belmont spring/summer meet compete for some of the highest purses in North America.

Open maiden special weight races at the Belmont spring/summer meet will feature a purse of $90,000 and horsemen participating in the claiming ranks will compete for purse money ranging up to $100,000.

New York-bred maiden special weight races will offer a purse of $75,000, while horses bred in the Empire State will benefit from an $85,000 purse for non-winners of two / $45,000 claiming and an $80,000 purse for the non-winners of one category.

“There has never been a better time to race or breed right here in New York state,” Panza continued. “The New York-bred program continues to thrive, and the purses and incentives that will begin this spring will continue through the summer at Saratoga making an investment in New York-breds all the more enticing.”

Joe Appelbaum, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), expressed his support for the newly announced purse structure.

“It's gratifying to see these significant purse increases to the overnight and NY-bred races,” said Appelbaum. “These races are the foundation of the NYRA racing program and the continued investment in them has proven to be successful.”

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry.

In addition to pari-mutuel wagering, the remainder of the NYRA purse account is funded through VLT revenues generated by casinos located in downstate New York, most notably at Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all casinos in New York were closed on March 16. The phased re-opening of the New York state economy authorized casinos to re-open to the public at limited capacity on September 9, 2020.

Live racing at Aqueduct continues Friday, February 19 with an eight-race card. First post on Friday is 1:20 p.m.

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British Horseracing Authority Developing Jockey Saliva Testing Pilot Program

In a move to further safeguard human and equine wellbeing and safety, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is currently developing a pilot program to assess the use of saliva testing on race days as a method of screening for cocaine and some other banned substances in jockeys.

The pilot, which is currently planned to commence in the spring, is being developed in conjunction with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and uses oral swabs to provide a near-instant indication as to whether substances are present in a rider's system, above the existing thresholds.

Should the pilot prove successful, British racing would become the first major sport in Britain to utilize on-the-day screening for banned substances through oral swabs.

Any jockey who tests positive would be stood down from riding for the day, in the interests of the safety of fellow jockeys and horses, as is the case with breathalyzer tests for the presence of alcohol.

As well as providing instant responses, saliva testing is also highly cost effective. If the pilot proves successful and the system is rolled out on a permanent basis, this – combined with increased funding being allocated to testing in 2021 – would result in a significant increase in the number of race day tests carried out each year.

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said:

“This is an exciting and innovative proposal which could have a huge impact on our ability to protect the sport against individuals who are competing while under the influence of prohibited substances. We are pleased to be working with the PJA on its development.

“We hope that the use of on-the-day screening, alongside increased testing capacity, will provide greater deterrent to potential offenders and greater reassurance to riders that they are competing in a safe environment, should the pilot be successful.”

Saliva testing will be used alongside urine testing with a broad range of substances detectable. Raceday saliva tests will act as a preliminary screen, and any jockey who tests positive in this manner would then be required to take a confirmatory test for the purposes of any further investigation or disciplinary action.

Moreover, any jockey who returns a positive test will also be contacted by the BHA's Chief Medical Adviser to discuss any care and support that may be appropriate.

Brant Dunshea added:

“There is much more to tackling issues such as substance use than pure regulation. The BHA is also working with the PJA to take a wider look at this issue and how we can better educate and protect our participants and rehabilitate those who do become involved.

“We want to encourage a culture of openness within our sport. We want people to have confidence to come forward and speak up about all issues around health and well-being, and will seek to support anyone who faces problems or has found themselves in difficulty.

“We would encourage anyone who is involved with issues around substance use, or know of someone who is, to contact the PJA or the BHA's Chief Medical advisor Dr Jerry Hill directly, or contact the PJA's confidential helpline and support network run by Sporting Chance.”

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Tampa Bay Downs Announces Third Purse Increase This Season

Despite rainy weather, Tampa Bay Downs horsemen and horsewomen are basking in sunshine today upon the announcement of a third purse increase this season, which will go into effect with Saturday's card.

Ongoing gains in simulcast revenue have led to another 10-percent boost, with an additional $2,500 for all allowance races and $1,250 more for maiden special weight, claiming and starter races. The increase amounts to approximately $15,000 more per day in total purse money.

Tampa Bay Downs previously increased purses by 10 percent on Dec. 16 and again on Feb. 3.

In on-track news, officials further postponed the track's annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day – featuring the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes and the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes – from Sunday to next Wednesday, Feb. 24. Both races had been pushed back from Saturday to Sunday earlier because of the soaked condition of the turf course, which last saw action Friday.

With more rain forecast later this week, the decision was made to give the turf course plenty of time to dry out and create conditions as equitable as possible for all runners.

The Turf Dash is for horses 4-years-old-and-upward and the Lightning City is for fillies and mares 4-and-upward. Both races are at a distance of 5 furlongs on the turf course.

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