The fire at Classy Lane Stables, which took the lives of 43 horses, has had a deep and dramatic impact on Ontario’s horse racing community. The Thursday, January 7 card of Standardbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack will be dedicated to the equine lives lost.
The tribute will begin at 6:50 p.m. with a video presentation of the fallen horses. Immediately following, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Woodbine will observe a minute of silence in remembrance.
Flags at Woodbine will be flown at half-mast on Thursday night through the conclusion of the Saturday night program of racing.
Former Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announcer Frank Salive will be the guest race caller for the evening.
“As a horseperson, I can imagine how difficult a time it is for those that lost horses, who are like members of the family. It is heartbreaking,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “Our deepest sympathies are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.”
Media are welcome to cover the tribute and are asked to use Gate 9 on the west-end of the Woodbine property for access to the Standardbred paddock and arrive by 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Racing fans are invited to watch the video tribute at 6:50 p.m., which will be broadcast through the facility, on HPItv, online at WoodbineEntertainment.com and across North America on Woodbine’s simulcast feed.
A GoFundMe page, created by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA), has been set up to support those impacted by fire.
WEG has pledged an initial contribution of $10,000 to the fund.
(with files from WEG)