Opening of 2021 Woodbine meet delayed due to stay-at-home order

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The 2021 Woodbine meet has been postponed from its scheduled April 17 opening due to a province-wide four-week stay-at-home order declared by the Ontario government that goes into effect Thursday. A provincial State of Emergency was initiated because of a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases with variants during the third wave of the pandemic.

Woodbine Entertainment hopes to start the meet after the stay-at-home order is scheduled to be lifted on May 6.

“This is very difficult news to share with our horsepeople, horseplayers, and fans throughout North America and the world,” Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said. “Since the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago, we have supported the government of Ontario every step of the way and will continue to do so.

“However, if we do not receive permission to safely operate live racing during a lockdown situation after the stay-at-home is lifted, our industry and business could be greatly impacted, as trainers will not bring their horses to Woodbine and more horses will be shipped out to the United States, where there are plenty of racing opportunities. This situation has the potential to have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the Thoroughbred industry in Ontario.”

During the stay-at-home order, Woodbine will continue to operate the backstretch as an essential service for the stabling and care of horses. Training, including timed workouts, will continue, but starting gate and receiving barn training operations will be suspended temporarily for 10 days.