Fourteen races over the first weekend marked the beginning of a new season at Woodbine, with horsepeople happy to be back.
Steven Chircop
Canadian horses and horsepeople continue make noise this winter, breeders are welcoming foals, and the Woodbine backstretch opens Feb. 23.
Canadians have been making news in the south, winning races and making stable moves, while those in the north sit in the snow.
Woodbine's snowy backstretch opens for horsemen and horses this week, but plenty of trainers are still collecting wins in the U.S.
Canadians continue to do well in races south of the border, from New York to Kentucky to Florida and Arkansas.
JDLP Holdings' Lady Brew, trained by Steven Chircop, is in action on Feb. 10 at Aqueduct racetrack in New York.
Mike DePaulo had a second win of the winter this past weekend, the Chircop barn continues to roll, and a top mare is back.
It is early in 2024 but horsepeople from Canada, in particular Ontario, are getting to work and having good results.
Ontario trainer hopes tough filly is up to top US fillies in a stakes race that offers points towards the Kentucky Oaks.
Ilium Stables' Anarchist, making his Woodbine and Tapeta surface debut, was a big winner in the $150,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes May 14.
Hernandez got 43-to-1 shot Scat Shack up to win the first race and in race 2 steered 12-to-1 shot Tiz Susan Ann to an easy victory.
At Gulfstream Park on March 25, Canadian/Woodbine-based horses and horsepeople win over one-third of the nine-race card.
Mike Wright sent out his 795th winner last week and his fourth straight winner (from 4 starters) at Tampa Bay with Isabelle Wenc on board.
Plenty of Canadian trainers from the west to the east have set up stables at American tracks this winter and hope to add wins, and horses.
Queen's Plate and Prince of Wales champ is getting ready in Florida for his 4-year-old opener, plus other news from Woodbine.
