Over Two Million Canadians To Enjoy Free Access To 24-Hour Racing Coverage In March

As of today, more than two million households in Canada now have access to live horse racing 24 hours a day for the entire month of March.

Ontario Racing, in partnership with Woodbine Entertainment, announced today that it is presenting a free preview of HPItv throughout the month of March for Bell Television subscribers.

“As part of our mandate to promote our sport, Ontario Racing is proud to present this free preview as a fantastic opportunity for both casual and dedicated fans to experience world-class horse racing from across the globe, including outstanding live racing coverage from racetracks across Ontario,” said John Hayes, Independent Chair, Ontario Racing. “Viewers will also be able to access professional handicapping tips, in-depth race analysis, and get the chance to see some of the sport's top stars, both equine and human, vie for victory at racetracks throughout North America and beyond.”

Since 2005, HPItv, which is owned and operated by Woodbine Entertainment, has delivered thrilling, worldwide horse racing action to fans in the comfort of their homes or through their preferred mobile device. The March free preview on Bell features three premium racing channels, each with its own unique programing, that combine to showcase a multitude of races daily from across the world.

“Horse racing is an exciting sport and we are confident that if we continue to provide opportunities to make our sport more accessible, especially while fans cannot attend racetracks in person, interest in our sport will only grow,” said Christina Litz, Vice President, Business Development and Revenue, Woodbine Entertainment. “Last year we launched Racing Night Live on TSN and saw hundreds of thousands of new fans engage with horse racing. This free preview of HPItv is another strategy to grow our sport and we are proud to partner with Ontario Racing on this initiative for fans.”

Seasoned handicappers and new fans to racing will have the chance to watch and wager on world-class live racing currently being held throughout Ontario: Woodbine Mohawk Park, The Raceway at Western Fair District, Rideau Carleton Raceway and Flamboro Downs.

“The Raceway at Western Fair District is thrilled to learn of the free preview of HPItv for the month of March, sponsored by Ontario Racing,” said Rob Lumsden, Director of Raceway & Grandstand, The Raceway at ​Western Fair District. “Whether you're a first-time player or seasoned handicapper this is a great opportunity to get into the action, attract new fans and to continue to grow the fan base of harness racing in Ontario.”

HPItv features up to four tracks of live racing on a single screen from 6:30 a.m. (ET) to 2 a.m. (ET), daily. Many of the world's most prestigious racetracks including Woodbine Racetrack (Canada), Churchill Downs (U.S.), Santa Anita (U.S.), Saratoga (U.S.), Epsom Downs (U.K.), Ascot Racecourse (U.K.), Flemington Racecourse (Australia), Meydan Racecourse (Dubai), Sha Tin Racecourse (Hong Kong), Tokyo Racecourse (Japan), as well as other venues in South Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond, are featured on HPItv.

Additionally, HPItv is home to the sport's most prestigious events including the Kentucky Derby (U.S.), Breeders' Cup (U.S.A.), Epsom Derby (U.K.) and Canada's iconic Queen's Plate, slated for August 22 this year at Woodbine Racetrack.

As premium channels, the HPItv package is typically only available to subscribers, however the free preview is available to all Bell Television users from March 1 to March 31 on channels 477 to 480 on satellite and channels 475 to 478 on Bell Fibe TV.

Fans who wish to enhance their experience can complement their viewing by signing up for HPIbet.com. HPIbet is Canada's leading horse racing wagering site and is a safe, secure and convenient way to ensure users don't miss a moment of the action or an opportunity to place a bet.

The post Over Two Million Canadians To Enjoy Free Access To 24-Hour Racing Coverage In March appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ontario Racing Organizations To Form Industry Relations Sub-Committee; CTHS Sales To Be Held At Woodbine

In the spirit of Stronger Together, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (CTHS), Ontario Racing Management (ORM) and Woodbine Entertainment (Woodbine) announced today that they have reached an agreement which includes the CTHS forming an industry relations sub-committee of its Board of Directors.

This new CTHS Industry Relations Sub-Committee (IRSC), will include representation from the CTHS, ORM and Woodbine with a mandate to work together for the betterment of the entire industry. Initial members of IRSC include Peter Berringer (President (Ont)) and National Vice President, CTHS), members of the CTHS Board of Directors, Tom Via (Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment) and Jonathan Zammit (Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management).

As part of the agreement, the CTHS will be provided administrative office space that has been relocated to the paddock at the west-end of Woodbine Racetrack. The 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale will be held in the sales pavilion on the Woodbine backstretch (subject to the latest government restrictions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic) later this year.

Quotes:

Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment

“This is another constructive step as part of our concerted effort to foster positive, working relationships across the horse racing industry that is critical for the advancement of our sport. We firmly believe that our industry is much stronger together and we are hopeful this is a first step towards evolving a working relationship with the CTHS.”

Jonathan Zammit, Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management

“Breeding is such a critical ingredient of a vibrant horse racing industry and this establishes a new forum to manage important issues and collaborate on ideas intended to benefit the industry as a whole, its participants and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports across the province.”

Peter Berringer, President (Ont) and National Vice President, CTHS

“This is positive news for the industry and especially for the Breeders of Ontario being acknowledged as a vital industry partner. On behalf of the CTHS, I would like to thank Woodbine Entertainment and Ontario Racing Management for their support and efforts towards reaching this new agreement which we hope will benefit the entire industry and horse people throughout the province.”

The post Ontario Racing Organizations To Form Industry Relations Sub-Committee; CTHS Sales To Be Held At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Woodbine to Host 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (CTHS), Ontario Racing Management (ORM) and Woodbine Entertainment have reached an agreement which includes the CTHS forming an industry relations sub-committee of its Board of Directors.

This new CTHS Industry Relations Sub-Committee (IRSC), will include representation from the CTHS, ORM and Woodbine with a mandate to work together for the betterment of the entire industry. Initial members of IRSC include Peter Berringer (President (Ont) and National Vice President, CTHS), members of the CTHS Board of Directors, Tom Via (Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment) and Jonathan Zammit (Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management).

As part of the agreement, the CTHS will be provided administrative office space that has been relocated to the paddock at the west-end of Woodbine Racetrack. The 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale will be held in the Sales Pavilion on the Woodbine Backstretch (subject to the latest government restrictions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic) later this year.

The post Woodbine to Host 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Woodbine Cleared To Resume Live Racing With No Spectators At Mohawk

Following today's designation of the Halton Region being placed in the 'Red-Control' zone by the Government of Ontario, Woodbine Entertainment has announced plans to resume live racing, without spectators, at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Halton Region will officially enter the 'Red-Control' zone as of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Live horse racing, without spectators, is permitted in all phases of the province's current COVID-19 Response Framework except for 'Grey-Lockdown'.

With the resumption of racing on Feb. 18, Woodbine Mohawk Park will proceed with its regular schedule of live racing every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 7 p.m.

Condition sheets for the first several cards at Woodbine Mohawk Park are now posted at www.StandardbredCanada.ca. The draw for Thursday's card will take place Monday, Feb. 15, with the entry box closing at its usual time of 10:30 a.m. The full draw schedule is listed below:

Enter Monday for Thursday
Enter Tuesday for Friday
Enter Wednesday for Saturday
Enter Thursday for Monday

Woodbine Mohawk Park will host qualifiers on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. The entry box for qualifiers closes Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m.

As per the Government of Ontario's restrictions, spectators are not permitted at Woodbine Mohawk Park at this time. Only those performing essential duties relating to the operating of live horse racing are currently permitted onsite. Woodbine Entertainment will provide an update to horse owners and the public over the coming days of opportunities to watch and wager.

Any horseperson coming to Woodbine Mohawk Park for training, qualifying or racing must complete the COVID-19 Daily Screening Form prior to arriving at the racetrack and must adhere to Woodbine Entertainment's COVID-19 Racing Protocols at all times.

Any horseperson that has been outside of Ontario must provide the Director of Racing (Bill McLinchey, bmclinchey@woodbine.com) with proof of their return date and be in Ontario for 14 days before coming to Woodbine Mohawk Park for training, qualifying or live racing. Any individual outside of Ontario must also provide a negative COVID-19 test taken 10 days into their quarantine.

The post Woodbine Cleared To Resume Live Racing With No Spectators At Mohawk appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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