Woodbine Entertainment | Horse Racing Free Tips

Schwabe, Grant Appointed to Woodbine Committees Board of Directors

Woodbine Entertainment announced the addition of long-time Thoroughbred breeder Yvonne Schwabe and perennial leading Standardbred owner and breeder Brad Grant to committees for its Board of Directors. Schwabe will serve on the Thoroughbred Racing Committee, while Grant joins the Standardbred Racing Committee.

Schwabe, a breeder for over 25 years and is the owner of Persley Den Farms in Acton, Ontario, notably bred 2013 Queen's Plate winner Midnight Aria. In addition to her successful breeding operation, Schwabe is a former director and current Funding Chair for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. She has also served on several other industry boards and committees, including as a former Ontario and National Director of the CTHS and as a Steward of the Jockey Club of Canada.

Grant has been the leading Woodbine Standardbred owner for six of the last seven seasons and currently sits atop the standings for 2023. He was also named 2022 Owner of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and has owned several prominent horses in recent years, including Bulldog Hanover and Atlanta. Grant has also been recognized by the industry for his philanthropy, receiving the 2018 USHWA Humanitarian Award.

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New York Thunder Brings The Rain At Woodbine

New York Thunder (Nyquist) declared victory in his first stakes attempt for AMO Racing at Woodbine on Saturday. Perfect in his only two career starts towards the end of his juvenile year, the bay colt was a debut winner Nov. 27 at Gulfstream by 6 1/2 lengths sprinting over the Tapeta. He then switched to turf against optional claimers in Hallandale and drove clear by 1 3/4 length.

After working out in Kentucky for nearly two months, the Jorge Delgado trainee shipped to Canada and was well-regarded at the windows as the heavy 1-5 favorite. Utilizing his early speed, New York Thunder tore through the fractions with a half-mile at :45.18, and into the stretch extended his lead to win going away by 7 lengths over Ninetyfour Expos (Outwork).

The winner is his unraced dam's first to the starting gate and only recorded offspring. He is part of an extended female family that includes third dam Surf Club (Ocean Crest)'s half-sister GISW Awesome Humor (Distorted Humor). His third dam produced GISW Emcee (Unbridled's Song) and SP Baffled (Distorted Humor), who is responsible for MGISW Constitution (Tapit).

WOODSTOCK S., C$133,500, Woodbine, 4-30, 3yo, 6f (AWT),
1:08.45, ft.
1–NEW YORK THUNDER, 120, c, 3, by Nyquist
          1st Dam: Start Over, by Midshipman
          2nd Dam: Wipe Out, by Hard Spun
          3rd Dam: Surf Club, by Ocean Crest
($130,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-AMO Racing USA; B-Gatewood Bell & Forgotten Land (KY); T-Jorge Delgado; J-Ricardo Santana, Jr.. C$75,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $122,323.
2–Ninetyfour Expos, 118, g, 3, Outwork–Simply Good, by Sky Classic. ($42,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $80,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-Robert Marzilli (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$30,000.
3–Stayhonor Goodside, 118, g, 3, Honor Code–Nicki Knew, by Tethra. ($85,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-Stan Dodson (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$16,500.
Margins: 7HF, 1 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.35, 14.10, 9.65.
Also Ran: Ship the Goods, Opposites Attract, Gran Spirited.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Lawson to Step Down at Woodbine

Jim Lawson will step down from his role as chief executive officer at Woodbine Entertainment this fall, the company announced Tuesday. Lawson has held the position since 2015.

“Being CEO of Woodbine Entertainment has been a great honor and passion for me,” Lawson said. “On a personal level, I have truly enjoyed my time leading the organization and I am so grateful for the incredible people that I have had the honor of working with, but it's now time to spend more time with my family.

“On a professional level, during my time with Woodbine, we have become a multi-dimensional organization, having expanded our scope and reputation as a world leader in dual-breed horse racing, while working meticulously and respectfully to drive new revenues that will continue to support the Ontario horse racing industry for decades to come. I have every confidence that Woodbine Entertainment is on a path to a very strong and sustainable future.”

Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors, praised Lawson for his stewardship.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to thank Jim for his strong, unwavering and impactful leadership to both Woodbine Entertainment and the Ontario horse racing industry over the last 15 years,” said Mitchell. “Jim's passion for the horse racing industry and admiration for the hardworking people has been a hallmark of his tenure as CEO. Jim has made lasting contributions that will undoubtedly benefit the organization and industry for decades. We also look forward to identifying ways for the Board of Directors and the next CEO to continue benefiting from his experience and passion in the future.

“As for Woodbine's next leader, the Board's Succession Committee is working diligently and is confident that we will be successful in finding the next CEO who will continue to build on our positive momentum.”

It is expected that Lawson will be associated with Woodbine in a senior role that will be defined at a later date.

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Woodbine And HPBA Agree To Two-Year Deal

Woodbine Entertainment and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) have reached an agreement for a new two-year deal that commits to $62m in purses for the 2023 and 2024 Thoroughbred racing meets, both released in a statement Friday.

The deal also includes a 133-raceday meet in 2023 and 129 race dates in 2024. Despite the fewer race days next year, the track expects the number of races offered to be substantially the same as 2023 through more optimized scheduling during the meet.

As part of the agreement, Woodbine Entertainment will continue to contribute $300,000 to the HBPA in each year of the deal for improving working benefits and conditions for those working on the Woodbine backstretch.

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