Jockeys Return to Woodbine Backstretch May 13 With Minimal Contact

A blanket of wet snow greeted horsepeople at Woodbine on Monday May 11 as winter weather hangs on.

The Victoria Day long weekend is coming up and by then Woodbine horsepeople, staff and fans should have an idea when the racing season gets underway. The season was scheduled to start April 18 with 131 race dates. A start in mid-June would still offer 100 racing cards.

Notable movement forward is scheduled to occur this week with the return of GATE SCHOOLING (May 13), for schoolers only and no workouts.

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Jockeys will be allowed to return to the Woodbine backstretch to work horses beginning May 13 with strict protocols in place:

Jockeys must meet the horse outside the shedrow. Jockeys are not permitted in barns at this time.
Minimal contact with Groom and Trainers.
Masks and gloves to be worn by all during this exchange, and when receiving instructions from Trainers.
All equipment to be cleaned and sanitized daily.

Also, masks will become mandatory on the Woodbine backstretch as of May 13. The HBPA (Ontario) gave out masks recently to all the essential workers. Riders breezing or actively galloping do not need to have the mask on until they pull up.

More updates were issued by Woodbine’s Vice President of Racing Jessica Buckley on May 10:

Jockey Agents will not be permitted on the backstretch at this time. All communication to be done by phone, text, video conference.
Owners will not be permitted until further notice.
Syndicate/Racing Managers may apply, in advance, for access to morning works. Email Robert Jordan, Woodbine Security Manager rjordan@woodbine.com . Access to 5/8ths or 3/8ths pole only.
No access to barn areas.

Spring Stall Application:

A new Stall Application will be going out via email tomorrow Monday, May 11th and will be due on Monday, May 18th. It is of the utmost importance that the stall application is returned to the stall office on time. Both the Stall Application and Code of Conduct form must be filled out and handed in together.

A break on Environmental Charges:

In an effort to keep costs down for Trainers during this time, Woodbine will be billing environmental charges at a 50% discounted rate for April, May and through to opening day.

As stated in Jim Lawson’s update last week, Condition Book 1 will be released at the end of this week. Thank you to all Trainers that have contacted the Race Office with the race ready status of your horses. Timed works will be announced soon, and we will keep you posted.

STRONGER TOGETHER, an on-line update from Woodbine’s CEO Jim Lawson, will be held at 2 p.m. on May 12.