Woodbine Entertainment Seeks Re-Start of Standardbred Season

On Jan. 7, Ontario’s Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister Lisa MacLeod announced that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators will be able to play their home games in their respective arena’s when the “North Division” of the 2021 National Hockey League season begins Jan. 13.

The NHL will get underway with a shortened season and no spectators while Ontario remains in a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and schools stay closed.

Woodbine Entertainment seeks to get its Standardbred racing season re-started at Woodbine Mohawk in Campbellville. Racing was halted just before Christmas as Ontario was put in lockdown once again, Dec. 26.

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Horse racing is held outdoors and was held at Woodbine Mohawk and Woodbine (Thoroughbreds) throughout the summer and fall under strict protocols.

Woodbine Entertainment CEO and president Jim Lawson said in a Jan. 7 tweet, “horse racing operated live competition for 7 months (outdoors & w/o spectators) w/o a single COVID transmission – explain to rural ON your rationale and reasoning in supporting & giving preferential treatment to the NHL – we will meet the same ‘rigorous protocols’.”

Horse racing in Ontario employs thousands and provides millions to the economy. Prominent Standardbred owner Adriano Sorella requested horsepeople to contact their MPP’s, “I ask my fellow horsemen who have dedicated their life to this industry. @WoodbineSB has operated safe through this entire process. These animals are no different than a hockey player. Let our equine professionals race. This is our sport! ”

Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine lost its last 12 days of the season in late November when Toronto and Peel went into lockdown. Racing landed on the non-essential list but “training” was allowed. Of course, those who are training the horses are the only ones who are racing the horses.

The current lockdown of Ontario is scheduled to go to Jan. 23.

Thoroughbreds are expected to return to Woodbine’s backstretch in late February to prepare for an April 17 start to its Thoroughbred season.