Woodbine Targets June 5 as Opening Day of 2021 Meet

Woodbine Entertainment is targeting June 5 as opening day for the 2021 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine "for preparation purposes only" as COVID-19 restrictions are expected to ease in Ontario.

The province has been under a stay-at-home order, meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, since April 8 and Woodbine's return to racing has continuously been delayed with the order extended last month. Woodbine was originally scheduled to open April 17. 

"With anticipation that government restrictions during this third wave of the pandemic will ease towards the end of May and early June, we must be prepared for the resumption of live racing," Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said in a May 12 letter to horsemen.

Lawson added that Woodbine plans to release its first condition book and a revised stakes schedule May 15.

"The target start date, and the accompanying condition book, are being provided to help trainers prepare for the opening of our season. We have not yet received any information or assurances from the government of Ontario regarding being permitted to resume racing by this date," Lawson said. "That said, we continue to have positive discussions with the public health authorities and have recently requested meetings with the Ministry of Health and Premier's Office. We will provide you updates as we learn more."

Ontario's stay-at-home order is currently set to expire May 20 after receiving a two-week extension last month. Should it be extended again, as multiple news outlets have reported it could be, the order would remain in place until at least June 2. 

Woodbine hosted a pop-up vaccine clinic May 5-10 for the Rexdale community and frontline essential workers who provide daily care to the horses stabled at the track. 

"We estimate that the first dose vaccination rate of essential frontline horse people is approximately 75%. This is a solid start, but we need to try to get that rate as close to 100% as possible and preferably before May 31, as previously communicated," Lawson said in the letter.

"As I have mentioned to media and government officials, I am growing tired of offering hope," he continued. "I would like nothing more than to provide you with the certainty you require and deserve. However, right now we need to remain patient while knowing that we continue to do everything we can to resume live racing in Ontario as soon as possible."