Horse Racing News

Thumbnail for Safety Vest Grace Period Continues to November 15

Safety Vest Grace Period Continues to November 15

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) announced that the grace period on the safety vest requirement has been extended to November 15, 2009. At that time, and for a period of 15 days, Judges will begin to issue written warnings to those who are not wearing the safety vests as required. As of December 1, 2009 […]
Thumbnail for Field of 8 Ready for Pattison Canadian International

Field of 8 Ready for Pattison Canadian International

Toronto, ON – A select field of eight turf specialists will contest the $2 million, Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International, Saturday at Woodbine. In addition to the mile and one-half Pattison, which is Canada’s richest horse race, two other turf stakes will highlight the undercard – the $1 million E.P. Taylor, at one mile and one-quarter, […]
Thumbnail for Quarter Horse Rider Scholarships

Quarter Horse Rider Scholarships

The Ontario Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program is inviting applications for two rider scholarships being offered in the first quarter of 2010. The Quarter Horse Program will provide scholarship funding for one or two riders to attend the Olds College Exercise Rider/Jockey Training Certificate Program in Alberta to be trained for the unique needs […]
Thumbnail for ORC Orders Moratorium on Race Date Reductions

ORC Orders Moratorium on Race Date Reductions

The Board of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has ordered a moratorium on all race date reductions. The effect of the moratorium is that racetracks will conduct no fewer race dates in 2010 than they did in 2009. Applications from racetracks for the 2010 racing season amounted to reductions of 150 days from those approved […]
Thumbnail for Adena Springs South Stallions Headed North

Adena Springs South Stallions Headed North

Frank Stronach plans to close his Adena Springs South stallion operation near Williston, Fla., and relocate some of the stallions to either Adena Springs near Paris, Ky., or Gardiner Farms (Dr. Michael Colterjohn, president) near Caledon East, Ontario, Canada. “The decision to move the Adena South stallions to Canada and Kentucky was not an easy […]
Thumbnail for Husbands Lands 2,000th Victory

Husbands Lands 2,000th Victory

Toronto, ON – Patrick Husbands tallied his 2,000th career win in Sunday’s 10th race at Woodbine. A six-time Sovereign Award winner and five-time leading rider at Woodbine, Husbands partnered with trainer Mark Casse, owner Eugene Melnyk and four-year-old gelding Grazettes Landing to reach the milestone. “This is a pretty nice horse,” said Husbands, who currently has […]
Thumbnail for Grace Period for Safety Vests

Grace Period for Safety Vests

Starting today, Paddock Judges will be checking participants for safety vests. ORC rules require that as of October 1, 2009, anyone jogging, training or warming up a horse at a licensed racetrack is required to wear a safety vest. This requirement does not apply to shuttling a horse back and forth from the paddock to […]
Thumbnail for Careless Jewel looks to give her rivals ‘Fitz’ in Philly

Careless Jewel looks to give her rivals ‘Fitz’ in Philly

Toronto, ON – Donver Stables’ Careless Jewel, a three-year-old daughter of Tapit, seeks her fifth consecutive score in Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion, at Philadelphia Park. The Kentucky-bred, trained by Josie Carroll and ridden by fellow Woodbine-based Robert Landry, is the morning line 8-5 favourite in the 1 1/16-mile feature. Careless Jewel, who finished […]
Thumbnail for Assiniboia Handle Up 30%

Assiniboia Handle Up 30%

The switch by Assiniboia Downs from Sunday racing to Wednesday racing has proven to be an unqualified success.  The track showed a huge 29.2 per race increase in handle despite five fewer race days.  The 63-day meet ended Sunday. The mutuel handle increased $2 million. This year’s handle was $8.8 million compared to last year’s $6.8 […]
Thumbnail for Pick 6 added at Woodbine

Pick 6 added at Woodbine

Toronto, ON – Beginning Wednesday, September 23, Woodbine Entertainment Group will be offering its Pick 6 wager during every Thoroughbred racing card. The Pick 6, which asks fans to pick the winners of six consecutive races, had been offered only during Sunday programs. The bet, offered on the final six races of the card, is a […]
Thumbnail for Ventura Makes History in Woodbine Mile

Ventura Makes History in Woodbine Mile

Rexdale, ON – Juddmonte Farms’ homebred five-year-old mare Ventura became the first female to win the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile in its 13 editions, rallying from ninth at the head of the lane to outbattle Ferneley in the final sixteenth of a mile, Sunday at Woodbine. At the finish of the turf classic, Ventura […]
Thumbnail for Ontario HBPA Elects New Board of Directors

Ontario HBPA Elects New Board of Directors

Toronto, ON – Eleven new directors have been elected to the Ontario Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association for a three year term. They are as follows: Owners Conrad Cohen, William Diamant, Stan Fishman, Lynne Hindmarsh, Sam Lima and Larry Regan. Trainers Roger Attfield, Mark Casse, Nick Gonzalez, Sue Leslie and Danny Vella. The HBPA of Ontario is a […]
Thumbnail for Bribon, Ventura, Rahy’s Attorney headline Woodbine Mile

Bribon, Ventura, Rahy’s Attorney headline Woodbine Mile

Toronto, ON – New York invader Bribon, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Ventura and defending champion Rahy’s Attorney head a well-matched group of 10 turf specialists for Sunday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. The 13th edition of one of the premier grass races in North America will be televised live across […]
Thumbnail for Asmussen Celebrates 5,000th Career Win

Asmussen Celebrates 5,000th Career Win

Toronto, ON – Trainer Steve Asmussen recorded his 5,000th career victory in Friday’s seventh race at Woodbine. The 43-year-old conditioner, who won his first Eclipse Award last year, reached the milestone with two-year-old Passion Rules, who led from gate to wire and drew off convincingly in the maiden claiming event. Asmussen, a resident of Arlington, Texas, […]
Thumbnail for RACHEL RULES AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

RACHEL RULES AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Standing outside his barn at Saratoga Race Course on a sparkling Sunday morning, trainer Steve Asmussen was still basking in the glow of Rachel Alexandra’s historic victory in the 56th running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes as he reported the filly came out of the race in good shape. “I’m just […]