Woodbine Remains On Track for June Resumption of Racing

Woodbine remains on track to resume racing in June despite the continuing COVID-19 crisis, although the exact date remains a bit hazy for the Toronto track.

During a regular online video session with horsemen and members of the media May 12, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said track officials have set a target date of June 13 to resume live racing, but are also eyeing a June 6 start date as well.

"We're at a stage where we have to start some concrete planning if we're going to go ahead in June," Lawson said. "The biggest fear is that there's a big setback in our community and in this province with the virus. Otherwise we've done the right things… we're working hard and we have a good chance of resuming on the timetable I'm laying out.

"The target dates on the Thoroughbred side for re-opening and stakes would be Saturday the 13th, but we're going to be ready to go if we get the green light for Saturday, June 6. We're certainly working with the government to have them understand we're a business that can proceed with healthy distancing.

"In all cases our ability to resume racing is obviously going to come with a big caveat, that we need to work with and get approval from the governmental authorities to give us the green light."

The 2020 meet at Woodbine was originally scheduled to begin April 18, but the season was indefinitely postponed March 23 due to COVID-19. After putting strict protocols in place including restricted access to the backstretch and limited permission on horses shipping in from other areas, the track has begun the gradual process of gearing up for live racing. Trainers were allowed to resume breezing their horses May 1, gate schooling will begin May 13, and timed works are set to begin May 15 with jockeys allowed on the backstretch for the first time since the shutdown. Officials plan to open the training track May 22, and Lawson said his team hopes to release a condition book by the end of the week or the beginning of next week, along with a stakes schedule. The stakes slate will begin June 13, he said.

"People need to get back to live racing; they need to earn a living," Lawson said. "We have made that message loud and clear with the help of Ontario Racing, the HBPA, and other constituents. I think everybody understands we're an industry that's been hard-hit, and the sooner we can get back racing the better, with proper health guidelines."

The track will have strict protocols in place for the paddock and saddling areas during racing, Lawson said. Woodbine mandated face coverings on the backstretch earlier this week and has limited access to that area since the shutdown, prohibiting owners in a similar manner to many tracks that have successfully conducted spectatorless racing during the COVID-19 crisis.  

"We're still in that mindset to keep numbers down on the backstretch," Lawson said. "We need to keep people safe. We all want racing to start and the more we can control physical distancing and have less people back there, the better off we're all going to be. People need to be understanding and patient. We understand people want to get back to our backstretch and watch their horses train, and that will happen, but right now is not the time."

Woodbine plans to run an opening weekend, then move to three days the following week with a Friday-Sunday schedule, then proceed with racing four days per week through the summer. Woodbine will not look to extend its season, which is scheduled to conclude Dec. 13.

Lawson said track officials are considering a September date that does not conflict with the rescheduled Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) for The Queen's Plate, the track's marquee race for 3-year-old Ontario-breds.

"Ultimately, this won't be our decision," Lawson said of the goal to resume racing. "We're giving out targeted dates with the best information we know, and we're trying to help people plan. At the end of the day it's not going to be Woodbine's decision as to when we can start, and I hope people understand that.

"The racing industry in this province has done a great job working together cooperatively. Ontario Racing has done a great job, all the horsepeople in this province have come together and been supportive, and my main message and ask is, let's not let our guard down. We've come this far, we're in good shape, I'm optimistic we'll be ready to start in June. … I want to race as much as everyone else wants to race. We're headed in the right direction, so let's keep it up. We're planning carefully, we're ready to go. Let's make sure we do it right. We just have to be patient and respectful of government. I have confidence government is trying to help us. Let's keep doing what we're doing."