Jim Lawson

Woodbine Entertainment and the Canadian horse racing industry are mourning the loss of longtime Thoroughbred trainer Laurie Silvera, who passed away Mar. 2 (click here for obituary). Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Silvera became a licensed Thoroughbred trainer in Canada in 1975. The graded stakes-winning conditioner earned more than 1,000 wins and nearly $26 million in purses throughout his career in North America. "A true gentleman, Laurie was a longtime fixture on the Woodbine backstretch and highly respected among the local racing community for his horsemanship and willingness to help others....

The experimental rules regarding whipping that were in place during the final two months of the 2019 Woodbine meet will likely become permanent in 2020, Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson said on this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast, presented by Keeneland. Starting Oct. 18 and running through the end of the meet on Dec. 15. Woodbine riders were prohibited from striking horses with an overhanded motion. The rules were considered the most restrictive in North America when it comes to whipping. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will have...

In this week's Writers' Room, presented by Keeneland, the writers talk to Jim Lawson, the CEO of Woodbine, and one of the most innovative executives in the game. Joe, Jon, Bill, and Brian talk about what Bob Baffert might do with his top 3-year-olds, the optics from the Fair Grounds last weekend after the Risen Star debacle, the Derby picture, and more.