Woodbine will kick off meet on Saturday
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - With Ontario entering Step 1 of the “Roadmap to Reopen” plan earlier than expected, on Friday, Woodbine Entertainment announced Monday that the 2021 Thoroughbred meet begins this Saturday with a 1:20 p.m. post time.
The meet will continue Sunday with a 1:20 p.m. post, followed by racing June 18-20. After that, the meet goes to its usual Thursday through Sunday schedule. To help make up for some lost racing days, Woodbine plans to add races to its cards during the first two weekends of racing.
“While it has been a very frustrating period, I would like to thank the government of Ontario for the recent attention it has given the horse racing industry,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “In particular, I would like to thank Premier Doug Ford for his understanding and interest in the plight of the horse racing industry that has been so greatly impacted by the global pandemic and ensuing government restrictions.”
Live racing will operate without any spectators due to government restrictions prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Although our industry has been substantially impacted, I do very much remain confident in the future of horse racing in Ontario and look forward to getting back on track later this week,” Lawson said. “On behalf of Woodbine Entertainment, thank you to our horse people for their patience, professionalism, and resiliency they continue to demonstrate, especially in face of adversity.”
The first stakes races on the schedule are the Grade 3 Whimsical and Star Shoot on June 19. The Grade 3 Jacques Cartier and Woodstock are carded for June 20.