“There is a great love and passion for horse racing in Ontario and across the country. It’s great to be able to deliver racing again and I know we are going to do a great job of it.” – Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson to TSN on June 6
Thoroughbred racing returned to Ontario June 6 as Woodbine opened its 2020 meeting in the age of COVID-19. For now, spectators, owners and media are not allowed and only essential people needed to run races and bring horses to the track were permitted.
It was surreal watching the first race of the season on a television (some of us have not missed an opening day for a couple of decades!), seeing just two people and a valet with the winning horse for most of the races and no onlookers in the background.
There were no cameras allowed in the paddock where the horses get saddled so the only visuals of the starters were coming from barn area and then during the very brief post parade.
Not ideal for horseplayers and horse racing lovers but a starting point nonetheless and it was a very tough road on everyone to get to the point when the horses broke from the gate for the first race. From the patience of the horsepeople (and owners!) to the detailed work of Woodbine, the HPBA and Ontario Racing plus the AGCO, a series of protocols in place made it possible to start the season with the first of 109 cards.
Horsepeople who took their horses to the paddock and then out to race described the event as like watching paid workouts. There was no sound from race announcer Robert Geller, just hoofbeats.
Wagering Saturday was over $5.5 million on a full 11-race card that had races on three courses, longshot winners and some really nice stories. Opening day in 2019 in April on a 10 race card was $4 million.
Sunday, $5.8 million was wagered, a solid number compared to $3.9 million on eight races in 2019 on day 2.
Just like that, DARRYL HOLLAND made notice of his arrival to Woodbine for this season. The well-known and successful European jockey won the first race of the meeting on 14-to-1 shot MAJESTIC FEVER for Alpine Stable and trainer Vito Armata.
EMMA-JAYNE WILSON powered her way to 5 wins on opening weekend, showing little rust after so much time off. Trainer Vito Armata won three races on the weekend while the remainder of the weekend races spread out the purse money. Luis Contreras bagged three wins on opening day.
Race 1 on June 6 was won by Majestic Fever with Jockey Darryl Holland up. (Woodbine/ Michael Burns photo)
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Emma-Jayne Wilson upon arrival at Woodbine on opening day – Michael Burns photo
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One of this year’s most exciting prospects is AMALFI COAST, who as a 3-year-old in 2019 ended her season with three stakes wins and then she was nominated for three Sovereign Awards.
Terra Racing’s homebred by Tapizar wintered in Florida with trainer Kevin Attard and she looked a picture when she came out for race 9 June 6, an allowance race at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.
The race went wrong for Amalfi Coast early as she was pinched back by rivals at the break. She got a mid-pack position by the halfway point but then was squeezed back into the turn and lost all chance.
Meanwhile, Hoolie Racing Stables, LLC’s ANOTHER TIME, who won her grass debut in March at Tampa Bay Downs under trainer Barb Minshall, parlayed a close stalking trip near the slow pace and ran past stakes winner Souper Escape for the win.
Another Time lowered the course record for 7 1/2 furlongs on turf to 1:28.11.
Race 2- Leonard Zenith’s PURPLE SCOOTER led all the way to win this maiden/optional claiming race in her second career start. Trained by Rachel Halden, the Goldencents filly was 12th in her only previous race (at Turfway in March).
Race 3 – One of the quickest races of the weekend was the sizzling 5 furlongs, 56.94, sped by BUTTERMILK PIKE in a $7,500 claiming race. This lightly raced 6-year-old was awarded a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in his 7-length romp. Darwin Banach trains for James Perron and Justin Stein rode.
Race 4 – The first turf race of the year was a big field of well-bred maiden fillies and Nick Lotz’s homebred FAIRYWREN, winter raced at Fair Grounds with Josie Carroll, won her turf debut. She is a 4-year-old who was meeting younger rivals and she held off 49-to-1 shot Candy’s Dream to win in her third career start.
Race 5 – Colebrook Farns’ STERLING SPEED, by Souper Speedy, had served notice this spring with a trio of big workouts. She ran well in five races last season and rallied wide to win her maiden in thi sopener. There were others in the field who got into traffic trouble, most notably LIVIN IN THE SIX, a first time starters by Society’s Chairman who lacked room through most of the stretch run.
Race 6 – Hest Sport Inc. of Rene Hunderup came off a layoff of 1 1/2 years and led all the way to win this five furlong allowance race under Rafael Hernandez. Trained by Mark Casse, this Silent Name (Jpn) gelding was a hotshot in 2018 with 3 wins in 6 starts and he had worked fast for his comeback. He posted an 87 Beyer Figure in this victory in 57.48.
Race 7 – Remarkable COLLEEN’S SAILOR, 11-years-old, won his season debut for Paul Figliano and Enza Armata, trained Vito Armata and jockey Diasuke Fukumoto. This Northern Afleet guy is now 16 for 74 in his career, earnings close to $600,000.
Did you know he was 4th in the Queen’s Plate 8 years ago to Strait of Dover? Or 3rd in the Prince of Wales to Dixie Strike? He has had 10 other trainers but has been with Armata for most of the last 4 years.
Race 8 – Before their star filly Amalfi Coast had a messy trip in race 9, Terra Racing of Dom and Frank Romeo celebrated a win with PRINCESS FABIANA, a 4-year-old Cairo Prince gal who came from post 11 to win this 5 furlong allowance/optional claiming. Kevin Attard trains.
Race 10 – ARTIE’S PRINCESS was odds-on to win this first level allowance race at 5 furlongs and she chased the pace and then took off for a big win, posting an 87 Beyer Speed Figure for her 3rd win in 4 races. She was beaten a neck in the Frost King Stakes last fall to the gelding Dotted Line. Owned and bred by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, this tall gall is by young sire We Miss Artie and from Stormkeeper by Stormy Atlantic. Her 2nd dam Touchnow won the Bison City Stakes. Wesley Ward trains.
Race 11 – After some big efforts by starters in early races, Joey Gee Thoroughbreds and its new trainer Terry Brooker finally got a win as MISS VERRAZANO won on the class drop to maiden $10,000 claiming. This is a 4-year-old homebred who was starting for the first time since August.
SUNDAY WRAP – Mike Doyle and Bill Duffy have owned horses together to many years and they struck quickly in 2020 with SENORITA UNO, who won this $15,000 claiming race for maiden fillies. She is a well bred Macho Uno filly and David Moran rode.
Race 2- JMR Racing of Melanie and John Ryan of Puslinch had a nice win here with J M R BOLD VISION, a Court Vision filly who was well prepared by Steven Chircop to win her 2020 opener. It was her 2nd win in her 16th start.
Race 3- Vito Armata kept the roll going as AFLEET CONNECTION won this $7,000 claiming race with a good rally for her 5th career win. Alpine Sables owns the Northern Afleet mare.
Race 4 – MR. DIFFLEY was touting himself with an impressive pre-race appearance for trainer Mike Keogh and the estate of Gus Schickedanz. The 4-year-old by Itsmyluckyday was making his first start since August.
Race 5 – Brilliant speed score by CHUCK WILLIS (Ire) who had not raced since October 2018 but blasted from the gate and was long gone in this allowance/optional claiming race. The Irish-bred who was 8th in the Grey Stakes (G3) in his only North American start is by Kodiac and he is owned by Chelsea Thoroughbreds and Tracy Farmer. His time of 57 flat was the quickest 5 furlongs of the day.
Race 6 – a maiden/optional claiming race and first-time starter ENNIS THE MENACE rode the rail and battled favoured Bend in the River to win for owner Gus Vlahos. Trained by Mike DePaulo, this grey gelding by Ontario sire Frac Daddy is from the mare Kamaina Rose. The grey was bred by Richard Moylan.
Race 7 – FOXXY BELLE picked up where she left off in 2019 with another win. This Leonnatus Anteas mare, a $25,000 claiming last June was winning for the 5th time since the claim by Tommy Massis and trainer Norm McKnight. The Tony James homebred coasted home in 57.38 for five furlongs.
Race 8 – Colebrook Farms’ runners are very ready and ALACRITIOUS (Nonios) led all the way to win this allowance race by a few inches over Muskoka Son. He owns his 2019 finale with a career-best 82 Beyer Figure and is a true 5-furlong specialist.
Race 9 Sam-Son Farms’ HURRICANE DANCER rallied wide to win this $25,000 claiming race for non-winners of 2. The Stormy Atlantic gelding was making his first start on Tapeta, his first start in Ontario, and first for Gail Cox.
Race 10 – Dr. Vicki Banks, Natural Eight Stable and Alan Alber watched the speedy ALL INCLUSIVE win his maiden for $25,000 here at 6 1/2 furlongs. The flashy son of Run Away and Hide was well bet in his first race for maiden claiming.
Race 11 – The weekend concluded with a $10,000 maiden race won by MONEY MATTERS, a Nick Gonzalez trainee who has been 2nd or 3rd in six of his eight races last year as a 2-year-old.
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