Woodbine horses and their people have slowly begun to filter into the backstretch this week as the 2022 Thoroughbred season, set to start April 16, draws near.
This will be the first year since 2019 that Canada’s biggest racetrack will begin ‘on time’ after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The excitement from owners and trainers is palpable.
“I think Woodbine is the best horse racing facility out there,” said Woodbine-based trainer Bill Tharrenos. “I really do. I’m looking forward to another great season of racing there and I can’t wait to get started.”
Tharrenos is one of a few trainers who has been busy in the south this winter, racing and claiming horses. Horses returning from Florida and other southern states deserve a second look in the early weeks of racing.
Cue John Sebastian's "Welcome Back" to all the women and men of our Backstretch. pic.twitter.com/QXQO80CeV0
— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB) February 16, 2022
Of course, as is often the case during an Ontario winter, the weather is rough for those brave enough to begin shipping in this week. Cold temperatures greeted those who set up barns on February 14 followed by two mild days and then heavy rain on Thursday and heavy snow into Friday. Training on the sand ring was canceled Friday, Feb. 18 but the training track was scheduled to open for the first time this year on Saturday, Feb. 19, weather permitting.
The stall list for Woodbine this spring is similar to that from one year ago. Some 140 trainers are signed up with stalls including the leaders from 2021, Mark Casse, Martin Drexler, Kevin Attard, Josie Carroll and Robert Tiller.
There are reports that STEVE ASMUSSEN could set up a stable at Woodbine later this spring. Asmussen had a string in Ontario in 2008 and has shipped horses in for races occasionally since then.
Two notable additions to the list this year are U.S. trainers JONATHAN THOMAS and MICHAEL TROMBETTA, both of whom have raced frequently at Woodbine and are scheduled to have stalls here this spring.
Thomas had a super record when shipping horses to Woodbine in 2021. Based in Kentucky and New York, Thomas won seven races from 18 starters and many of those are owned by George Strawbridge’s Augustin Racing Stable, a longtime supporter of Ontario racing.
Trombetta had a record of 32-3-7-5 at Woodbine in 2021 and one of his main clients is Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte Weber), also a strong supporter of Woodbine. Weber also has horses race at Woodbine with trainer Mark Casse.
The stakes schedule for Woodbine is out; you can view it here.
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