Woodbine Entertainment | Horse Racing Free Tips

Woodbine’s 2021 Meet To Open Saturday, June 12

With Ontario entering Step One of the 'Roadmap to Reopen' plan earlier than originally expected, Woodbine Entertainment announced Monday that the 2021 Thoroughbred Meet at Woodbine Racetrack will open this Saturday, June 12 with a 1:20 p.m. post time.

The meet will continue Sunday with a 1:20 p.m. post time, followed by racing on Friday, June 18, Saturday, June 19 and Sunday June 20, before continuing with its typical four race days a week schedule (Thursday through Sunday). To help make up for some last race days, Woodbine plans to add additional races to its race cards during the first two weekends of racing.

“While it has been a very frustrating period, I would like to thank the Government of Ontario for the recent attention it has given the horse racing industry,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “In particular, I would like to thank Premier Doug Ford for his understanding and interest in the plight of the horse racing industry that has been so greatly impacted by the global pandemic and ensuing government restrictions.”

Live racing at Woodbine Racetrack will operate without any spectators due to government restrictions.

“Although our industry has been substantially impacted, I do very much remain confident in the future of horse racing in Ontario and look forward to getting back on track later this week,” Lawson added. “On behalf of Woodbine Entertainment, thank you to our horse people for their patience, professionalism, and resiliency they continue to demonstrate, especially in face of adversity.”

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Woodbine Unveils Updated Stakes Schedule Worth Over $16.5 Million

Woodbine Entertainment today unveiled its updated stakes schedule for the 2021 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.

The commencement of the 2021 Thoroughbred season, originally scheduled for April 17, at Woodbine Racetrack has been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the province of Ontario. Based on recent Government announcements, Woodbine Entertainment is targeting June 18 as a start date for the Thoroughbred season, with the possibility of the start date occurring earlier.

The lucrative 2021 Thoroughbred stakes program offers more than $16.5 million in stakes purses, 39 graded stakes and two $1 million classics, The Queen's Plate and Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Grade 1).

The delayed start of the 2021 Thoroughbred season has forced Woodbine Entertainment to restructure the dates for the majority of its stakes races. Despite the delay, Woodbine was able to maintain the original dates for most of its marquee races.

“We are pleased that we were able to avoid major changes to our stakes schedule, setting up for an exciting 2021 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “As a result if the delayed start, we expect our season to start strong and build momentum as it heads into the summer with The Queen's Plate and its prep races, followed by a really exciting stakes schedule in the fall, including an unprecedented Ricoh Woodbine Mile weekend that includes two other Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' races, and the return of the Pattison Canadian International.”

The Queen's Plate remains on its original date of Sunday, August 22, with this year's running marking the 162nd edition of the iconic race. The Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Grade 1), a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” race, returning $600,000 Pattison Canadian International (Grade 1) and $250,000 Canadian Stakes (Grade 2) will be contested on Saturday, September 18. The Natalma (Grade 1) and Summer (Grade 1), each with boosted purses of $400,000 and part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, will run on Sunday, September 19. The $600,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (Grade 1) and $250,000 Nearctic Stakes (Grade 2) remain slated for Sunday, October 17 and will be contested on the world-renowned mile and a half E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

With most marquee events remaining untouched on the schedule, the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser and $150,000 Plate Trial, a key prep race for the Queen's Plate, have been moved back a week from Sunday, July 25 to Sunday, August 1.

The dates for the Canadian Triple Crown legs remain intact, with the $1 million Queen's Plate on August 22, $400,000 Prince of Wales at Fort Erie on September 14 and $400,000 Breeders' Stakes on October 3.

Throughout the recent shutdown of racing in Ontario, Woodbine Entertainment has remained committed to offering as much of its 2021 stakes program as possible through rescheduling and strategic planning. The majority of Woodbine's original stakes schedule has received a facelift to accommodate the new starting date and racing opportunities.

The entire updated 2021 Thoroughbred stakes schedule can be viewed here.

Earlier this year, Woodbine Entertainment announced all Grade 3 stakes would receive a purse increase of 20 per cent, while Listed races would be boosted from $100,000 to $125,000. This announcement was made in conjunction with news of the returning Pattison Canadian International and purse increases for the $400,000 Natalma Stakes (Grade 1), $400,000 Summer Stakes (Grade 1) and $350,000 Highlander Stakes (Grade 1).

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Live Racing In Ontario Permitted To Resume On June 14; Woodbine Opens June 18

Earlier this afternoon, the Government of Ontario announced a three-step 'Roadmap to Reopen' the economy plan based on decreased daily COVID-19 case counts, lower hospitalization rates, and the percentage of vaccinated residents. Live horse racing is included in Step One of that plan, which is estimated to begin on Monday, June 14.

Based on that date, Woodbine Entertainment announced today that the 2021 Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume on Monday, June 14, and then continue its regular five race days per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). The 2021 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine Racetrack will commence on Friday, June 18 and continue Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20 for the opening weekend. It will then go to four race days per week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

Woodbine Entertainment also confirmed that it is prepared to accelerate the resumption of live racing sooner if the Government of Ontario enters Step One of the 'Roadmap to Reopen' plan earlier than expected.

“On behalf of the horse racing industry and the thousands of families who depend on it, I would like to thank the Premier's Office and local health authorities for providing some much-needed clarity,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “While the timing is not ideal, we can now prepare for the resumption of live racing with a degree of certainty. I would also like to acknowledge Ontario horse people for their patience and resiliency during the past several months.”

Woodbine Entertainment also confirmed that it has received permission from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to host qualifier races at Woodbine Mohawk Park starting on Thursday, May 27.

Updated stakes schedules and condition book/sheets will be shared in the coming days.

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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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