Despite a mandatory 28-day lockdown of Toronto and one of its suburbs, officials at Woodbine Racetrack remain in negotiations with the Ontario government as they seek permission to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred season.
The lockdown went into effect Monday, Nov. 25, at 12:01 a.m. and allows for training and stabling of horses at the track, but live racing has been canceled.
An update late Tuesday from Woodbine read:
“Since being permitted to race without spectators in early June, Woodbine Entertainment has demonstrated that live racing poses no greater health risk to participants than training. Furthermore, it believes it has clearly demonstrated an ability to safely operate live racing without spectators during that time.
“Based on the timing of these ongoing conversations, live racing on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 has been cancelled. Should Government make the decision that live racing is permitted to safely resume, Saturday, Nov. 28 would be the earliest date. This would require entries to be submitted on Thursday morning.
“Furthermore, if Woodbine Entertainment is permitted to complete the 2020 Thoroughbred meet, it will endeavour to reschedule the cancelled races.
“Woodbine Entertainment will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
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