PHOTO FINISH from Woodbine is RACEN (4) winning over BOGGIE

 

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JESSE CAMPBELL as hot as the weather, wins 4 on Friday

Heat and humidity hit Toronto hard on Friday as the 10th racing day of the Woodbine season and the Polytrack was fast.

THUNDERING WATERS started off the day with a win as the odds on favourite. The 7-year-old by Artie Schiller is owned by Centennial farms Inc. and trained by Mark Fournier. It was the gelding’s first race of the year and he won this $8,000 claiming race with ease under Eurico Rosa Da Silva.
Thundering Waters is 7 for 32 in his career with earnings of over $200,000.
He was claimed from the  race by Jack Bolin and Robert Smith.

Race 2- A bit of a delay for this race and riders dismounted for the wait time. Perhaps that unsettled 3 to 5 favourite MASQUERADE PARTY who hopped at the start, did not make the lead and was left battling for a small share. On the pae, Dr. Sport and Super Colerosa battled for the lead with the latter pulling away carrying his head as he does, for his 2nd win of the year.
Frank Romano owns this dark bay colt by Bold Executive from Minstrel Show (tale of the Cat) who was bred by Windways and Paradox Farms. The colt cost $30,000 at auction and he has now won over $115,000.
First win of the four-pack for Campbell. The time of 1:03 1/5 was good for a 78 Beyer Figure, the day’s best Beyer.

race 3 – WHY THE RING tracked speed Last Minute Lucky, already a winner on the year, and then took over under Campbell to win off the claim. The race was for $25,000 and Shale Wagman and Denyse McClachrie took her from her season opener for $20,000. This filly was 2nd in her season debut. She is a Where’s the Ring 4-year-old bred by Donald Ross.

race 4- She loves racing! RACEN is a dark grey filly by Philanthropist and she was one popular filly yesterday. A bet in the range of $10,000 was made to win on this filly who was making her first start since September and second career start. She had lots of good workout times, was from the hot Mike DePaulo barn and well, she had run well in that one start.
Under a patient ride by Campbell, this filly stalked inside early in the 5 1/2 furlong dash, tipped out turning for home and looked home free until Boggie rallied 5 wide and was flying at her.
The fillies hit the wire together and Racen got the nod.
Some fillies to tab for next time, other than Boggie include San Nicola Breeze, who broke poorly again but made a nice gain and even Benadette’s Lady could be a longshot play next time out.

race 5- BILLY’S STAR posted an upset in this maiden allowance and hey, he might be a Queen’s Plate contender if he picks up speed. Trained by Roger Attfield for the Perfect Timber Partnership, Billy races in the colours of breeder Charles Fipke and he was sold to this partnership for about $161,000 at the local sale 2 years ago.
The colt had some trouble as a juvenile and then he was far beaten in his 3-year-old debut on the dirt at Keeneland.
It was a different story on Friday as he rallied wide and away from the field at 8-1 to win in 1:44.47, good for a 74 Beyer Figure.
He is by Perfect Soul out of Tapatina by Seeking the Gold and Da Silva got his 2nd win of the season.
In this race, other Plate eligibles Scorch and Titan were 2nd and 3rd but well beaten.
Conquest Cobra, a Florida bred, had a very troubled trip as he was shuffled back in traffic badly into the final turn. He can be played next time.

race 6- MISS VICTORIA charged between a seam at the top of the stretch and reeled in Mindfulness to win this $62,50 claiming race. The Victoria Meadows homebred by North Light (Ire) was ridden by Luis Contreras anit was her 4th win in 24 races.

race 7 – Another JOHN ROSS special – CLASSYSHADESOFGREY, a pretty filly, is now 2 for 2 at Woodbine after a Keeneland debut and she won in 1:10.16 on Friday in an allowance race for Ontario sired gals. It was a 75 Beyer Figure and she won by 5 1/2 lengths under Tyler Pizarro. The filly is by Kentucky Bear – out of Bears princess by Olmodavor and she is a realtive of BEAR NOW.
Ross picked this gal up 2 years ago for about $5,000 at auction from Bear Stables.

race 8 – Slow start at 5 furlongs? Usually it is bad news, but LE VENT was allowed to realx and trail and then he came flying like the wind between horses under Campbell to win for Tucci Stables and trainer Sid Attard. This was the first winner for Attard at the meeting. The colt by Leroidesanimeaux is an Ontario bred who was claimed from William and Anne scott last July for $40,000, raced just once and reappeared here in this allowance race.
Troubled trips here for Creeping barrage and Rexton.

Race 9 – CRAFTY GIZMO, off the layoff for Nick Nosowenko, rallied wide to win this allowance race for Ontario sired gals. The white faced daughter of Giant Gizmo was bred by Steven and Michelle Smith and pinkooked by Bonnie Greener Rowntree.
The filly is 2 for 5 in her career with $80,000 in earnings.
Troubled trips in this race for many fillies who suddenly faded and one to tab for next time is Natural Blonde.

 

JIM LAWSON, horse owner, racing and sports fan, Woodbine’s new CEO

The Board of Directors of Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) today announced the appointment of Jim Lawson as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Lawson held the position of WEG’s Chairman of the Board of the Directors from 2012 to 2015.
Clay Horner has also been appointed WEG’s Chairman of the Board following his previous role as Vice-Chairman of the Board, which he had held since 2006. Mr. Horner is Vice-Chair of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a director of CI Financial Corp. and has owned race horses for over twenty-five years.
Nick Eaves, WEG’s former President and CEO, left the organization on March 31.
Mr. Horner’s first order of business was to announce Mr. Lawson as WEG’s CEO.
“Jim’s broad experience and expertise in business, his leadership record as Chairman of Woodbine and his lifelong passion for horse racing make him uniquely qualified to work effectively with industry stakeholders, our partners and our communities to strengthen our business and industry and to further capitalize on our assets and potential,” said Mr. Horner. “Jim is already fully engaged on our business priorities and growth opportunities.”
Mr. Lawson, currently the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Football League (CFL), recently served, until the end of April, as the Commissioner of the CFL.  Additionally, he recently completed a five-year tenure as Chairman of the Jockey Club of Canada.
“My goal, as CEO, is to lead a team that will transform Woodbine Entertainment Group into a leading entertainment company,” said Mr. Lawson. “Achieving this goal will provide a long-term and sustainable foundation for the company and the horse racing and breeding industry.
“I have already relayed my cultural vision to the staff at Woodbine,” he continued.  “I want to foster an environment that empowers all WEG employees to strive and achieve their very best so Woodbine Entertainment Group is ultimately successful in reaching its goals.”
Previous roles served over the course of Mr. Lawson’s career include:  Partner at Torys LLP and at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Senior Vice President of XO Communications Canada, and Co-Chair of the Finance and Real Estate Group at Torys LLP. He has served on a number of public company (Toronto Stock Exchange) Boards including Algoma Steel Inc., Zargon Energy Trust and Countryside Power Income Fund.
Mr. Lawson is a graduate of Brown University, (A.B. Economics, magna cum laude) and University of Western Ontario (LLB)

At the JOCKEY CLUB OF CANADA, Jeff Begg is now the Chief Steward as Lawson has stepped down from that role.