On track, there are 23 races at Woodbine this weekend including Sunday’s Grade 2 Connaught Cup, a seven furlong grass race that could yield a starter for the Woodbine Mile (G1) in September.
And beginning Friday, July 16 with the province’s move into Stage 3 of re-opening, wagering and simulcasting will be expanded, restricted initially to 1,000 guests within Woodbine Racetrack’s iconic grandstand as per government capacity limits.
Additionally, expanded outdoor grandstand seating, up to 75 percent capacity, will be available as of July 16, allowing more race fans to experience the thrill of live, world-class racing.
“We are appreciative of the steps adopted by Government that will enable us to expand our offerings and we are excited to welcome back a larger group of our loyal customers to the on-track experience at Woodbine Racetrack,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.
Dining options continue to expand at Woodbine Racetrack. Excellent outdoor dining experiences include the Patio at Champions, which continues to offer the best patio view in Toronto, Thursday through Sunday. Starting on July 22, the heralded Woodbine Club will open for safe, indoor dining experiences featuring a sensational new menu. Additionally, the Tim Hortons is open during live racing hours. As per government guidelines, reservations are required. To reserve a dining experience, please click here.
Simulcasting, wagering and guest areas will be available on Woodbine Racetrack’s second and third floors and allow race fans to watch and wager on live horse racing from tracks across the globe.
Casino Woodbine is set to open Friday, July 16 at 10 a.m.
The past two Champion Female Sprinters in Canada square off in the restricted Ballade Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine. ARTIE’S PRINCESS, the 2020 champion who won the Grade 2 Bessarabian Stakes, will have to bounce back to form as she was fifth of six in the Grade 3 Whimsical in her season debut for trainer Wesley Ward. The Ontario-bred by We Miss Artie is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
SUMMER SUNDAY is in post six in the six-horse field and she was the 2019 Champion Female Sprinter and last year she won the 1 1/16 mile Belle Mahone Stakes. She was also in the Whimsical in June and landed sixth.
If the champs do not rebound, that opens up the sprint for one of the other four gals. SAV, by Big Screen, is a 5-time winner for owner Steven Duffield and trainer Ricky Griffith. She won the La Prevoyante Stakes in 2019 and was third in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion last fall. Ruvee Stables’ SPANISH BALLERINA is very fast and she had a huge season in 2020 with four wins. She is a Victory’s Cry homebred for Frank Huarte. ISHIYAYA won her season debut at 13-to-1 for Stacey Van Camp and Pipers Racing Stables (owners of Pipers Heath Golf Club). Trained by Mike Mattine, the Court Vision mare posted a lifetime best Beyer of 73 in that win. GOLDEN VISION, also by Court Vision, won her season debut on the grass at 11-to-1 for Elizabeth and Gordon Lickrish and trainer Tino Attard.
Sunday’s Grade 2 Connaught Cup has a good field of older horses on the turf. The Connaught Cup, incidentally, was first run in 1912 at Old Woodbine but was not run for 20 years from 1932 to 1952. The race has been won by some of the greats in Canadian racing such as With Approval and Sky Classic.
In 2011 the Connaught Cup was shortened to its current seven furlong distance.
This year’s field has a plethora of fast horses, including a trio from the Mark Casse barn and last year’s winner Silent Poet. But it is Ivan Dalos’s AVIE’S FLATTER who figures to be the favourite following a sizzling win in his season debut on June 13 when he won a Tapeta sprint with a 96 Beyer Figure. The 2018 Champion 2-Year-Old in Canada was second in the 2019 Queen’s Plate and Princes of Wales and third in the Breeders’ Stakes. He raced just three times in 2020.
“It was nice to see him come back,” said trainer Josie Carroll. “You always hope for that kind of effort, but you never know. We always knew he was a good horse. Last year wasn’t a good year for him. He had all kinds of problems, but it looks like he’s back to his old self.”
The son of Flatter – Avie’s Empire by Empire Maker loves the grass and has loads of speed to track in the Connaught. In addition to Silent Poet, the confirmed front-runners are Proven Strategies and Chuck Willis (Ire), the latter who is 4-for-4 since he went on a long layoff from 2018 to last June.
FIELD FOR THE $175,000 CONNAUGHT CUP
POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER
1 – Avie’s Flatter – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll
2 – Silent Poet – Justin Stein – Nicholas Gonzalez
3 – Olympic Runner – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
4 – Tap It to Win – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
5 – Proven Strategies – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
6 – Gray’s Fable – Gary Boulanger – Roger Attfield
7 – Holiday Stone – David Moran – George Weaver
8 – Chuck Willis – Kazushi Kimura– Mark Casse
9 – Eskiminzin – Slade Callaghan – Carlos Grant
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