A 10-race card on Monday (April 9) will mark the end to a quarter-century of harness racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ont.
The feature race on Monday will come in Race 8 with six top class trotters lining up in the $34,000 Preferred Trot. Canada's Older Trotting Horse of the Year for 2017, Odds On Amethyst has drawn Post 2 for trainer-driver Pat Hudon and is listed as the morning line favourite at odds of 2-1.
To view entries for Monday's card, click one of the following links:
► Monday Entries - Woodbine Racetrack
► Monday Program Pages - Woodbine Racetrack
After Monday's card, the country's top harness racing circuit will shift full-time to the former Mohawk Racetrack, now known as Woodbine, Mohawk Park. The move is bittersweet for trainer-owner Ben Wallace, who would like Standardbred racing to be a part of the renovated Woodbine Racetrack.
“I really think it’s an opportunity lost when you see the expansion plans for the (Woodbine) area and realize that Standardbred racing is not going to be a part of it," Wallace told the Toronto Star. “When you have a struggling sports team, you don’t build a new stadium, you build a better team.”
Wallace would have preferred to see some of the $10 million spent to renovate Mohawk's grandstand, paddock and food service options to go into expanding the track to a full one-mile oval.
“We need to build a new, fresher product, " said Wallace, "and not just better seats to sit in.”
Jack Darling spoke fondly of the shift to Campbellville as a full-time location.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said the longtime trainer and owner. “I think it’s a better track for Standardbred racing fans and the horsepeople. As long as (Woodbine Entertainment) does a good job in promoting it and get the fans out, it will be good.”
Jessica Buckley, president of Woodbine, Mohawk Park told Jennifer Morrison that Woodbine is dedicated to growing Standardbred racing by positioning Mohawk as an entertainment destination for the rapidly-growing Milton area.
“Our goal is to make Woodbine, Mohawk Park an incredible entertainment experience for the Milton area,” said Buckley. “People are looking for things to do (in the area) and the town is very supportive.”
The name is a branding
The name is a branding (Marketing) issue and is no different than when Pocono made a slight change to their name a few years ago. Fans will call it Mohawk just like they do Pocono. The fans may be familiar with Mohawk but intelligently the management group of Woodbine Entertainment is looking at sponsorship deals and sustaining racing so people should want to support what they are trying to do instead of knocking it. I am sure business people are more familiar with the Woodbine name than Mohawk, even if for no other reason that it is through Thoroughbred racing.
Why the big deal? Call it whatever you want as long as there is harness racing as that is the more important issue. What about "the WEG Circuit"? No complaints? Once again marketing.
I originally thought it was going to be called Woodbine, at Mohawk Park. (Which I like better but I'm not the one investing millions in a name so they can chose and probably have studies to back it up).
Thanks for the good memories
Thanks for the good memories Woodbine. We need to move forward in a positive way for Woodbine and Mohawk Raceway. These two tracks have been a home for many great horses. For me it's fitting for these two names to be combined together. It shows me that Woodbine is putting forth an effort to support harness racing. Not that Woodbine is closing, but in reality we are losing another harness track. This time hopefully it's the last one we will lose because we can't afford to see more horses going to the U.S. to race. We need all remaining tracks to maintain upbringing and development of young horses to keep the industry intact. I'm hoping to make it out Monday for one more good memory at Woodbine to wager two dollars on the entire last race to be able to keep an uncashed ticket on the winner, and buy a win picture. Thanks again Woodbine.
I'llHaveAnother Ontario needs racing and new fans.
I still miss Greenwood, and
I still miss Greenwood, and Mohawk will always be Mohawk to me.
Farewell and Adieu to you
Farewell and Adieu to you fair Spanish Ladies, Farewell and Adieu to you Ladies of Spain. But for we received orders, but too sail back to Boston, and so never more shall I see you again!
I totally agree with Jim.
I totally agree with Jim. What's with this name... "Woodbine, Mohawk Park". It's Mohawk Give me a break. We aren't in Woodbine, so just call it Mohawk or Mohawk Park.
It may be end of 25 years at
It may be end of 25 years at Woodbine for the harness industry, but the positive changes at Campbellville, with the growth of the Milton area, and accessibility for all racing industry participants, can be viewed as a win/win situation for future stability.
Why can't they just name
Why can't they just name Mohawk, "Mohawk Park"?