Woodbine conducting trial on new whip rule

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine has joined forces with its industry partners to launch a trial for new techniques on urging horses with the whip. The trial begins Oct. 18 and goes through the end of the meet on Dec. 15.

The new Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario rule limits urging in Thoroughbred racing to underhand use of the crop only. It also does not allow contact with the crop in the cocked position and prohibits any hits to the horse’s belly or surrounding area.

The Ontario division of the HBPA and the Jockey’s Benevolent Association of Canada are on board with the trial.

“The industry wants to look like we’re less aggressive with the crop,” said Irwin Driedger, executive director of the JBAC. “The perception of hitting a horse overhand sometimes looks bad. Underhanded use of the crop hopefully will be more subtle. It’s a trial run. I think [the jockeys] will be okay with it, but it will take some time to get accustomed to. They’ve had some time to practice, and some of them have been doing it already, so I think that’ll help. We came to an agreement with the HPBA, and we’re working together with the horsemen to have a better perception. That’s the goal.”

Following the end of the Woodbine meet, the commission will evaluate the test period to determine if further revisions are necessary prior to a full roll-out of the new rule at the 2020 Woodbine and Fort Erie meets.

◗ Maryland-based Wet Your Whistle could be headed back here for the Grade 2 Nearctic on the Canadian International undercard Oct. 12. Wet Your Whistle captured the Grade 1 Highlander over the same six-furlong distance of the Nearctic here June 29 and is coming off a troubled seventh in the Grade 3 Runhappy Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs.

“It’s under consideration,” said trainer Mike Trombetta, who won last Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Derby with Global Access. “He had a rough trip at Kentucky Downs. It got a little tight on the turn, and he’s pretty aggressive. He clipped heels pretty good. It took his momentum away. He didn’t run awful, but he wasn’t able to run his best that way.”

◗ Trainer Robert Tiller reports that the next start for 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd has yet to be determined. Pink Lloyd had won five consecutive stakes at the meet before being declared a non-starter after breaking his gate open early and finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Bold Venture on Sept. 14.

“We’re not planning anything at the moment,” Tiller said. “He’s got two races left that he’s eligible for this year. The Overskate and the Kennedy Road are in the picture.”

The $100,000 Overskate for Ontario-sired runners goes Oct. 26, and the Grade 2 Kennedy Road is on Nov. 23.