Allard To Concentrate On Woodbine

Fresh off a career-best season in the racebike, driver Simon Allard has confirmed with Trot Insider that he will be racing solely at Woodbine Racetrack for at least the next

couple of months.

"I called the Flamboro race office (on Sunday, January 16) and told them not to put me down on any horses for the time being," said Allard, who in 2010 recorded his 1,000th career driving victory and was the leading pilot at Georgian Downs.

"I've been racing every day, twice a day, and I've been doing well at Woodbine," explained Allard, 28. "It takes its toll, though. I think you can see that with the way I've been driving at Flamboro recently. I've been sick a lot and haven't been able to get healthy, but with a little less racing I'll be able to recuperate and focus on driving at Woodbine."

Allard told Trot Insider that for the months of January and February he will only be racing at Flamboro when he has his horses in to go.

"I moved last year, and I now have a one-year-old daughter, so it will be good to be able to spend some extra time with my family and re-charge my batteries."

When asked whether he will change his approach in any way with Woodbine being his focus, Allard said that he is still going to be a driver that displays versatility and a passion for winning.

"You've got to have goals. This year I want to make the move from being a 'B-track' driver to an 'A-track' driver, he explained. "I always felt that I was ready to go (full time) at Woodbine, but just like any driver, I need the support."

Trot Insider also asked Allard about the reports that emanated from south of the border which indicated he was going to drive in New York and New Jersey at some point in 2011.

"I'm going to try hard at Woodbine, but if it doesn't work out, I could then go down there if I want," he explained. "I was getting my papers ready. It would be a good thing to do once in my life, but right now I just want to focus on Woodbine."