Evans fired as Woodbine VP

Chris Evans has been fired as vice president of Thoroughbred racing operations for Woodbine Entertainment Group has been terminated, the company announced Thursday.

Evans, 52, had his license suspended for three years in a ruling released by the Ontario Racing Commission on Sept. 18. The commission said it had concluded it had "reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Evans will not act in accordance with the law or with honesty, integrity, and in the public interest."

That suspension was to be followed by one year's probation.

The commission had focused on an extra-marital relationship between Evans and Linda Phelan, an Ontario Racing Commission steward who currently is on leave. Phelan's husband, Bruce, is a trainer based in Alberta.

Jim Ormiston, Woodbine's executive vice president and chief operating officer, has assumed the day-to-day responsibility for the operations of the Thoroughbred racing department.

David Willmot, chairman and chief executive officer, Woodbine Entertainment Group, said Thursday, "We waited a short period of time, to see whether or not Chris Evans might be taking any further legal action, but it does not appear that he will be.

"Therefore, if it's basically over and that three-year suspension is in place, then we have no choice but to terminate Chris."