Woodbine

Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson told the Toronto Sun that he anticipates racing will resume at the Ontario track in approximately six weeks. "With the optimism that we all need to share, we anticipate that we are approximately six weeks away from resuming live racing (under the strict conditions being developed with the AGCO) if the Provincial Declaration of Emergency is lifted and parts of the economy are permitted to gradually re-open following government and health officials' guidelines," Lawson told the Sun. "I will continue to provide updates in the coming...

The recent announcement by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) that Clenbuterol can no longer be used within 28 days of a horse racing was something trainer Mark Casse had been waiting a long time to hear. The veteran trainer has been the sport's most outspoken critic of what he saw as the abuse of the drug and the new regulations in Canada will be among the strictest in North American racing. But Casse said that the new rules only go so far in curbing the problem and that the real...

The 161st running of The Queen's Plate will be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodbine Entertainment announced Wednesday. The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 27. While a new date has not been confirmed, Woodbine said in a statement that it intends to host The Queen's Plate at Woodbine this year, subject to recommendations and restrictions from government and health officials related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Queen's Plate is the oldest continuously run race in North America and we have every intention of keeping it that way,"...

Woodbine issued the following release Tuesday: With the Government of Ontario extending the Declaration of Provincial Emergency and associated emergency measures due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Woodbine Entertainment announced that it remains committed to stabling horses on its backstretch for the purpose of providing them with the essential care they require. Businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including stabling, have been deemed essential workplaces by the Province "These horses need a home and our land and facilities were created exactly for the purpose of caring...

Woodbine Entertainment has suspended the opening of its Thoroughbred meeting indefinitely following the announcement that the Government of Ontario is mandating all non-essential businesses closed by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Woodbine's backstretch will be limited to only essential care for horses and regular training operations will not be permitted. "Considering we will only be allowing for the essential care of the horses on our backstretch, we will not be in a position to open the season as scheduled Apr. 18," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "As previously communicated, we are...

Having ridden here, there and everywhere, British-born jockey Darryl Holland has announced that he will spend the 2020 season in Canada at Woodbine. "I've always been interested in racing in Canada," Holland said. "I have been there for the international race meeting. The facilities at Woodbine are second to none, and it's a racetrack that is right up there with the best of them. So, it's kind of like unfinished business for me there. I've decided to ride a full season there." That is if he can get there. Holland's...

Having ridden here, there and everywhere, British-born jockey Darryll Holland has announced that he will spend the 2020 season in Canada at Woodbine. That is...if he can get there.

The HBPA of Ontario released a statement Monday speaking out against the abuse of clenbuterol, saying that it has passed a motion "supportive of stopping the abuse of the medication clenbuterol" and is requesting the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario "take immediate action thereupon." The statement comes on the heels of Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse calling for a ban of the drug last week in the TDN. The statement continued: "We feel that all owners and trainers deserve a level playing field...

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....

Woodbine Entertainment is increasing purses for its overnight and Ontario bonus programs effective for this year's Thoroughbred season which begins Saturday, Apr. 18, the company announced Tuesday. "Woodbine is committed to attracting and retaining top quality horses in support of a strong racing program," said Jessica Buckley, Senior Vice President of Thoroughbred and Standardbred Racing for Woodbine Entertainment. "We are pleased to offer enhanced overnight purses for some conditions as well as significant bonus increases for the Ontario Sired and Ontario Bred programs that will benefit the local horse racing...

Ontario Racing (OR) announced its $5.89 million Thoroughbred Horse Improvement Program (TIP) Breeders Awards package for 2020-21, including a new Ontario Sired Reward of Excellence program. Rewarding breeders of Ontario-bred horses at Woodbine and Fort Erie, the distribution is based on first, second and third-place finishes in most classes, including Grade I races. Additionally, a new $200,000 Ontario Sired Reward of Excellence program awards prizes to the breeders of the top three highest earning Ontario-Sired horses worldwide. A total of $50,000 each is being offered in the 2-year-old colt/gelding, 2-year-old...

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.