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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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Horse Racing Set to Return To Ontario

Edited Press Release

The Government of Ontario announced a three-step 'Roadmap to Reopen' the economy plan Thursday 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 Monday, June 14.

Officials at Woodbine Entertainment have announced that the 2021 Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume 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 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).

Officials at 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 Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “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.”

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

The post Horse Racing Set to Return To Ontario appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Lawson: Ministry Of Health Doesn’t ‘Even Want To Try To Understand,’ Won’t Engage In Dialogue

Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson is fed up with the ongoing crisis at Ontario racetracks. The Ontario Ministry of Health has not given the green-light for racing to resume in the province, making Ontario the only major horse racing jurisdiction in the world to not have resumed live racing.

“Racing in the afternoon is safer than training in the morning. This is the ironic part,” Lawson told the Toronto Sun this week. “But they don't even want to try to understand why that is.”

Lawson said the Ministry of Health refuses to engage in any sort of dialogue about resuming live racing in Ontario, despite the fact that indoor sports like professional hockey have been allowed to resume.

Over 1,500 horses and 1,000 individuals have been training and preparing for the 2021 race season at Woodbine alone, and the horsemen are beyond frustrated. Many owners have begun pushing trainers to send horses south of the border to the United States, and backstretch workers' jobs and livelihoods are in jeopardy.

“I am so frustrated,” Lawson continued. “I can't explain to you why there is no dialogue. But there's nothing. The left hand's not talking to the right hand and we are frustrated. (Horse racing) people are taking it out on me and I'm kind of fed up. I've done everything with the Ministry of Health, and there's just nothing.”

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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