Woodbine’s CEO Jim Lawson addressed a number of issues facing Ontario racing and the industry in general prior to the post position draw for the Woodbine Mile which will be held Saturday.
Significantly, Lawson discussed a rash of several recent breakdowns on the outer lanes of Woodbine’s E.P. Taylor turf course and asked industry members to work together to boost racing’s integrity.
“At Woodbine we are very proud of our safety record.,” said Lawson. “Over the last 10 years we have averaged less than one per 1,000 starters horses with catastrophic injuries. Last year it was 1.6, this year 1.08. In the interest of transparency we have had some recent catastrophic injuries at Woodbine. We have had three in the last month, on the E P Taylor turf course. It’s very unusual for us.”
Races on the E.P. Taylor turf course have been held on the outer lanes of the turf in recent weeks to preserve the inside paths.
“I read a full report about our turf course today and I am happy to say it is in good shape in Lane 1, which is what we are racing on this weekend. But there is a fair amount of wear and tear on our E.P. Taylor turf course and we’re taking steps immediately to recognize it. Our Tapeta course is in great shape, we monitor it and we just added fibre to it. Our inner turf course is a great story. Other than a lane change we made for races on the inner turf because of tightness in lanes, it is a jewel.”
Lawson also emphasized the change in medication rules introduced in Ontario racing earlier this year but the continued need to address the integrity issue.
“We have to change the culture and attitude of racing and I’d love if Woodbine was on the frontier of doing that. There is a culture in this industry that if you can get away with it, it must be okay. That’s got to stop.
“There are always a few horsepeople who always a step ahead of the regulator. It’s got to be a grassroots movement that it’s no longer okay to get away with it. You are only hurting the industry. There are tens of thousands of good people, horsepeople, in this industry and a very small group are going to ruin for everybody. It has to come from everyone, It’s not up to the regulator. The regulator is going for enforce but it’s much more grassroots than that. It’s up to everyone to take responsibility and have accountability for what is a black mark on this industry.”
Lawson also announced that following October’s Pattison Canadian International an experimental program will be in place where jockeys will not be allowed to whip horses overhand in races.
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