Toronto

Thursday's eight-race card at Woodbine Racetrack has been pushed back and will begin at 6:05 p.m., the track announced Monday. The move was made in the best interest of horse welfare as an extreme heat warning is in effect for the city of Toronto and the surrounding areas. Woodbine noted that the decision to push back the start time was made in consultation with the HBPA. Woodbine is the latest track to alter post times due to the heat joining Finger Lakes, who moved both Tuesday and Wednesday cards up...

Due to extreme high temperatures forecast for the greater Toronto metropolitan area, the live racing program scheduled for Monday at Woodbine has been cancelled. The decision was made in consultation with the local HBPA and the commissioned veterinarian. According to a release, the track will endeavor to make up for the lost races over the next few live racing days. Live racing is scheduled to return on Thursday, September 7, with first post scheduled for 4:50 p.m. ET.

Premium UK bookmaker Fitzdares is ready to break new ground as it launches in Canada this week after receiving its iGaming Operator Registration from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in March. It is the 140-year-old bookmaker's first foray outside of the UK. The launch, which is under contract with iGaming Ontario as the exclusive bookmaker, seeks to expand its portfolio and capitalise on a passionate Canadian sporting fanbase. A Super Bowl launch party will be held at Fitzdares' latest luxury pop-up, as their first 100 clients gather...

Heavy rains in the Greater Toronto area that first forced a postponement of Thursday's live program at Woodbine resulted in 'unfavorable conditions' on the Tapeta track and led to the cancellation of the card. Woodbine's maintenance team was to continue working on the synthetic surface for the remainder of the day Thursday and into Friday and live racing is scheduled to resume at 4:50 p.m. local time with an eight-race program.

Woodbine Entertainment announced the pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Woodbine Racetrack will continue to operate Monday, May 10. Located in a 'hot spot' community, the clinic will continue to serve the Rexdale Community through the weekend, beginning each day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until supply runs out. Entry is through Gate 10 and free parking is available. The vaccination clinic, which is supported by the North Etobicoke Community Cluster Partners, is open to first priority of individuals 18 years and older in 2021 who live or work...

The Ontario government announced earlier this week that a province-wide COVID-19-related lockdown has been extended to at least May 20, dashing hopes that Woodbine will be able to open for business any time soon. The meet was supposed to begin Apr. 17. "There is a crisis right now in the Toronto area and we're right in the middle of it," said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. "They are running out of intensive care beds and the numbers are not going down. The good news is that more vaccines are coming in...

With a government-enforced 28-day lockdown set to take effect in the province of Ontario Thursday, Apr. 8 at 12:01 a.m., officials at Woodbine Racetrack announced late Wednesday that the planned opening of the 2021 meet would be delayed. Woodbine will continue to engage in dialogue with government officials and local health authorities in an effort to gain permission to operate a live meet during a lockdown situation in which they would try to begin operations once the stay-at-home order is lifted May 6. "This is very difficult news to share...

During a Friday afternoon briefing, Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, Canada, announced a mandatory 28-day lockdown in the city of Toronto and the suburb of Peel, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23. It was not immediately clear how the decision would impact racing operations at Woodbine Racetrack, though the Toronto Star reported that while training can continue, racing will cease. "With the numbers rising rapidly in certain regions, we have to make the tough, but necessary decisions now to protect our hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, and...