Woodbine Mohawk Park: Back to business for tonight’s season opener

From one season to the next, Woodbine Mohawk Park is set to launch its 2026 meet tonight (Friday, January 2) with a 12-race card beginning at 6:15 p.m.

The first-race post time of 6:15 p.m. (20 minutes earlier than last season) is the new regular start time for the 2026 campaign.

Following a tough run against Mother Nature, Woodbine Mohawk Park is ready to offer four consecutive nights of racing to begin the new year. Live racing will be held every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday through the balance of the winter at the Campbellville oval.

The 2025 season ended abruptly following last Saturday’s card, as racing programs for Sunday and Monday were lost due to inclement weather.

James MacDonald secured his fifth straight driving title in 2025 with 350 wins and $7.6 million in earnings. MacDonald finished 82 wins ahead of his nearest rival (Louis-Philippe Roy).

The top five drivers (by wins) for the 2025 season are listed below:

James MacDonald – 350 wins ($7.6 million)
Louis-Philippe Roy – 268 wins ($6.4 million)
Doug McNair – 241 wins ($6.2 million)
Jody Jamieson – 179 wins ($4.6 million)
Bob McClure – 177 wins ($6.7 million)

Dave Menary captured his first Woodbine training title by posting 114 wins in 2025, just six more than nearest challenger Kyle Fellows. The 2025 season was a career year in wins and earnings for Menary.

Trainer Ron Burke led all conditioners in earnings for 2025 at Woodbine Mohawk Park with $3.9 million, notably winning marquee races like the Pepsi North America Cup, Maple Leaf Trot, Shes A Great Lady and multiple Breeders Crown events.

The top five trainers (by wins) for the 2025 season are listed below:

Dave Menary – 114 wins ($2.9 million)
Kyle Fellows – 108 wins ($2.5 million)
Jodie Cullen – 105 wins ($2.2 million)
Gregg McNair – 83 wins ($2.4 million)
Carmen Auciello – 81 wins ($1.3 million)

The Woodbine owners title for 2025 was won by Pollack Racing LLC for the first time. Tom Pollack’s racing interests won 62 races and earned $1.8 million at Mohawk Park. Ervin Hanover was the stable star for Pollack Racing and leading trainer Menary with six wins at the Mohawk in 2025, including the prestigious Breeders Crown.

The top five owners (by wins) for the 2025 season are listed below:

Pollack Racing LLC – 62 wins ($1.8 million)
Daniel Sarafian – 36 wins ($610,357)
Millar Farms – 34 wins ($997,229)
Determination – 33 wins ($1.6 million)
Gino Toscani – 27 wins ($634,037)

The 2025 leaders will all team up on tonight’s season-opening card with four-year-old pacer Cover Band in Race 12. In total, MacDonald is listed to compete in 10 races, while Menary will send out two starters and Pollack one.

Following the cancellation of last Friday’s Boxing Day program, tonight’s card will feature the rescheduled finals of the Niagara Pacing Series (Race 7) and Valedictory Pacing Series (Race 9).

-edited release (Woodbine Entertainment)