Woodbine Mohawk Park: 2020 North America Cup postponed

One of the premier events in all of Standardbred racing, the C$1 million North America Cup for 3-year-old pacers, which was was scheduled to be part of a huge stakes card on June 20 at Mohawk Park, has been postponed according to Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson.

No new date was provided during an open Q&A session held on April 15 between Lawson and media representative Jason Portuondo. Lawson added that much of the scheduling depends on the overall North American stakes calendar and that is wasn’t yet clear what other tracks will do with their major races at this time, but Woodbine is committed to racing all of the scheduled stakes.

“We continue to be of the view that the major events will go ahead,” said Lawson. “It would be sad to think of an NA Cup without the whole tarmac at Mohawk crowded with people or the Queen’s Plate festival, but our committment is to have racing go ahead, so our plan is to run our major events without spectators if that is what it take, that is what we will do.”

Currently Mohawk Park is under mandate from the Provincial Government to stay closed until at least May 12. Lawson was optimistic that racing could resume soon after and pointed out that Horse Racing is one of a few sports that could maintain itself economically without spectators.

"It is everyone’s hope that there will be racing in June or July," said Lawson. "If someone would say June 1, I'd say sign me up."