Lawson: Woodbine to 25% Attendance Beginning July 1
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Photo: Michael Burns
Spectatorless racing opening day June 12 at Woodbine
Following nearly a two-month delay due to provincial restrictions related to COVID-19, horses resumed racing before fanless crowds at Woodbine June 12.
Starting next month, limited attendance can return, according to Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. He tweeted June 24 that beginning July 1 spectators will be allowed at 25% capacity.
"We are working through the governmental reservation requirement and protocols for spectators today and will likely have a communication out in the next day or so as to the logistics for next Thursday, July 1," he wrote in a follow-up tweet.
Canadian government officials have been slower to ease COVID-19 restrictions than their American counterparts. U.S.-Canada land border nonessential travel restrictions still are in place and were extended until at least July 21, the Department of Homeland Security said earlier this week.
With bettors attracted to large fields as its season began, Woodbine handled an opening day record of $6.9 million June 12.
This year, the track has two CA$1 million races, the Aug. 22 Queen's Plate and Sept. 18 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T). Also Sept. 18 is the CA$600,000 Pattison Canadian International (G1T) and CA$250,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T).
Other major days at Woodbine are Sept. 19 with the Natalma Stakes (G1T) and Summer Stakes (G1T), and Oct. 17 when it stages the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) and Nearctic Stakes (G2T).