Woodbine

River Rush Storms to Plate Trial Triumph

Stronach Stables’ River Rush, confidently ridden by Jim McAleney, broke his maiden in style Sunday afternoon, crushing a field of Queen’s Plate hopefuls in the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine in track record time of 1:48.97 for the mile and one-eighth test. Despite breaking from the outside post 11, River Rush, a 21-1 longshot, […]

Woodbine Oaks Preview

Trainer Mark Casse is holding a hot hand for Sunday’s $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser. Already a two-time winner of Canada’s most important race for Canadian-bred three-year-old fillies, Casse will saddle two hopefuls for owner John Oxley, likely favourite Dixie Strike and Northern Passion, and one for Eugene Melnyk, the promising Black Bird Rock. […]

Something Extra Cannot be caught in Connaught Cup

Something Extra, under a sparkling ride by Eurico Rosa da Silva, made every pole a winning one to capture Sunday’s Grade 2, $154,200 Connaught Cup, at Woodbine. The seven-furlong event marked the first added-money score for the four-year-old son of Indian Charlie, owned by John Menary in partnership with trainer Gail Cox. Something Extra won […]

‘Hunters’ Keeps Them All at ‘Bay’ in Eclipse

Hunters Bay made his first added-money appearance a winning one, taking Saturday’s Grade 3, $156,300 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine, in impressive fashion. The 1 1/16-mile event was the second consecutive win for the five-year-old son of Ghostzapper, bred and owned by Stronach Stables and trained by Reade Baker. Hunters Bay won by three lengths and […]

Pender Harbour Makes Four-Year-Old Debut in Eclipse

Pender Harbour, who took the final two jewels of the Canadian Triple Crown series in 2011 and went on to cop top honours as the country’s champion three-year-old male, makes his seasonal debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Eclipse Stakes, at Woodbine. Owned by Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Rob and Roberta Giffin, Pender Harbour, […]

Private Member’s Bill Seeks to Legalize Betting on Single Sporting Events

Last summer, Canadian MP Joe Comartin, of Windsor-Tecumseh, introduced Private Member’s Bill C-290 to Parliament. This bill seeks to legalize wagering on a single sport event or athletic contest, which would repeal paragraph 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code. On May 16th, bill C-290 passed the second reading in Senate, and is expected to become law […]

Gypsy Ring Game in New Providence

Paul Buttigieg’s Gypsy Ring, under a strong ride by Justin Stein, held off a determined Paso Doble to win Monday’s $125,000 New Providence Stakes, at Woodbine. Creeping Barrage, Executive Five and Red Eagle tussled for the early lead in the six furlong Polytrack event as Gypsy Ring and Paso Doble stalked the early pace. Following […]

Roxy Gap Impressive in Hendrie

Eugene Melnyk’s Roxy Gap, patiently ridden by Patrick Husbands, was a commanding winner of the $183,000 Grade 2 Hendrie Stakes, at Woodbine. Dr. Diamonds Prize broke on top in the six and a half furlong main track event, but an anxious Sweet Cassiopeia brushed to the lead and made the quarter in :23.05 and a […]

Essence Hit Man Fends Off Vigil Foes

Essence Hit Man, with Jesse Campbell in the irons, got off to a fast start and then dug in late for a three-quarter length score in the featured $168,000, Grade 3 Vigil Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.   Last year’s Canadian champion sprinter, Essence Hit Man, an Ontario-bred five-year-old son of Speightstown, went one better than […]

Attfield Elected to National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame

Eight-time Queen’s Plate-winning trainer Roger Attfield, who is based at Woodbine Racetrack, Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year, jockey John Velazquez and conditioner Robert Wheeler, have been elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The class of 2012 will be inducted on Friday, August 10, in Saratoga Springs, New York, at […]

Tu Endie Wei Triumphs in Star Shoot

Tu Endie Wei, recently crowned Canada’s champion two-year-old filly, celebrated the honour in style with a runaway five and a half length score in Saturday’s $166,000 Star Shoot Stakes at Woodbine. The Brereton Jones’ filly, trained by Reade Baker, took to the lead under regular pilot Jim McAleney in the six furlong main track sprint, […]

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame 2012 Inductees

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce its 2012 inductees. This year’s honour roll includes three horses and two people representing the Standardbred industry, as well as three horses and two people from the Thoroughbred ranks.   The 2012 Standardbred Inductees are: Astreos – Male Horse Category Kadabra – Male Horse […]

Woodbine Opening Day Card Drawn

The 2012 Canadian live Thoroughbred racing season kicks off Good Friday afternoon at Woodbine. The 10-race Opening Day programme, set for a post-time of 1 p.m., was assembled on Tuesday morning, drawing 101 horses, including seven for the afternoon’s feature race, the $100,000 Debut Stakes (race eight) for four-year-olds and up. Fans in attendance will […]

Opening Day at Woodbine Features ‘Your First Bet Is On Us’

The 2012 Woodbine Thoroughbred racing season kicks off on Good Friday, April 6th, with a number of exciting promotions for fans, including ‘Your First Bet Is On Us’ and the racetrack’s first-ever Woodbine Fan Photo contest, which features a prize of dinner for four at Woodbine’s Favourites Dining Room.   The 10-race Opening Day program, […]