Woodbine CEO Optimistic Racing Resumes This Summer
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Jim Lawson at Woodbine
In an April 15 video conference updating the status of racing in Canada, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said he is hopeful for a summer return of horse racing at Woodbine if COVID-19 shows indications of being controlled and government regulations are scaled back next month.
Currently, the Ontario province in which Woodbine is located is under a state-of-emergency order that continues until May 12. The track's Thoroughbred meet had been scheduled to begin April 18, though the opening has been indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19. Its premier race of the early summer, the Queen's Plate Stakes, has also been postponed from June 27 to an undetermined date.
"Hopefully, there will be good news in early May that some of the health restrictions and essential business restrictions are loosened or will be loosened," Lawson said. "When we have some confidence, then we'll start planning at resuming racing in June or July. I hope I'm not too optimistic in saying that. None of us really knows for sure."
Training is ongoing at Woodbine, though breezes are prohibited under the track's health and safety program, a restriction that could delay when horses are fit and ready to compete. Many Canadian horses that do not head south for winter racing in the U.S. are freshened and resume active training in the spring.
Lawson anticipates that when a resumption of racing occurs it will be without fans. A select number of American tracks remain operational under this model, restricting attendance to essential staff and participating horsemen.
"The good news is horse racing is one of the few sports and entertainment properties that can go on without spectators," Lawson said. "That gives us an advantage in terms of hopefully starting earlier than other sports and entertainment properties. We're not gate-driven. We can run our races when we're allowed to, and they will be run without spectators for the foreseeable future."
Woodbine's Thoroughbred season goes until Dec. 13.
The replay of Lawson's video conference, conducted with Woodbine television host Jason Portuondo, can be viewed on the Woodbine website.